If you are the parent of a special needs child, it's about to be that crazy
time of year again. No, not spring, when a young feisty one's thoughts turn
lovingly to mud and bugs and the great outdoors. Not even allergy and mold
season, when antihistamine maker's minds turn lovingly to their bank accounts.
(Although it is that time too.) Nope, for parents and educators is that head
spinning business known as IEP season. (Cue roll of thunder and ominous
music.)
For, the uninitiated, an IEP is an Individual Education
Plan. That's the document that lists exactly what a child with special
educational needs will be expecting and getting in the next school year. It is
a legally binding contract that states the goals for the student, how they will
attempt to meet these goals, how they will assess progress, what progress has
been made to date, and what supports will be needed and provided for. And
because it is legal contract, it is taken VERY seriously by all parties involved
-or at least darn well should be. In difficult circumstances, it is an
emotionally grinding grudge match were all the adults have to smile and try very
hard to use their best polite company manners and make sure the child's needs
can be somewhat met. In great circumstances, it's a brainstorming free for all
where everyone is still working extremely hard to ensure a good outcome for the
student. I've been present at both kinds of meetings, and while I am pleased to
say that most have been the latter kind, it's still a serious mental workout.
Feisty Pants is in a fabulous educational setting right now, so they go out
their way to try have as much of the work before hand as can be and it still
seems like we always leave something undone that we end up going back to fix
later.
So, to that end, I am posting the following links that
help explain and give some tips on getting through the IEP process. Good luck
and godspeed.
IEP- this is the wikipedia page on IEP's. A good
starting point for beginners.
What is an IEP?- article from the National Center for
Learning Disabilities. Another good starting point.
IEP faqs- Wrightslaw's faq page. A good place to start
to really dig into the heart of this issue.
It's worth your time to really check out this site for advocacy tips in
general.
Six things you may not know about the IEP- great
article that quotes exact regulations covering the IEP. This is from the
National Dissemination Center for Children With Disabilities. Unfortunately,
they have been defunded. (Cheap ba#$@^&) and this page is only available
until September 2014. Print this one out if you can.
Playing 20 questions with the devil.- GREAT article on
handling disagreements during the IEP process without losing your temper or
sanity.
I hope this helps anyone struggling with advocating for
your child. I would also recommend bring coffee for yourself (sip everytime you
want to swear or have to wait)donuts or cookies for the group (buttering people
up always helps ANY meeting), and personally, I always try to Feisty Pants
herself. She's cute and charming and hard to say to no to. Yes, I know I have no
scruples. I just think that's a virtue.
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