IEP meeting next week - what to expect?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
IEP meeting next week - what to expect?
2
Tue, 03-14-2006 - 12:36pm

Little update on us:
DS, 4, has been evaluated by the school system for Asperger's Syndrome due to some behaviors noted by the pre-k teacher and school psychologist. We know he is language-delayed as he is already in speech.

I should be receiving the report of DS's evaluation this week (went in the mail today) and the first IEP meeting is scheduled for Wed. Being totally new to all this, what do I expect at that 1st meeting? What should I ask? I want to do this all right for DS but I have never been exposed to special ed before and I know I will forget something important or not ask for something I should.

I reallly like the people I have been in contact with so far, the psychologist, speech teacher and spec. ed director. So I am not really worried that it will be difficult to work with them. I just really don't know what to expect or if there are any tips that someone could tell me about how to approach the meeting.

Thanks
Jackie

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2006
Tue, 03-14-2006 - 1:30pm

Jackie:

Welcome to the world of Special Ed and annual IEP's. I've been attending IEP's for my 8 year old daughter since she was 3 yrs. old.

When you go to the school for your child's IEP, you'll be meeting with your child's teacher/s, Speech Therapist, Physical Therapist (if applicable), Occupational Therapist (if applicable), your caseworker from the Child Study Team. The results of your sons evaluation will be discussed at this meeting. Your child's educational, speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy goals for the oncoming school year will be discussed. Basically, the IEP is a plan of action of what everyone wants to achieve for your child. I personally look forward to this meeting every year!

Of course, you should bring a pen and notebook with you for questions you'll want to ask and take notes of what issues will be brought to the table. All parties involved will have prepared notes with them of what they want to discuss. If you have any areas that you feel your child needs to be addressed, you should make note of them and discuss them at the IEP. That is the place to address it! i.e., if you feel there are areas that your child needs addressed with his speech, that's where you discuss it.

You are your sons best advocate. Be prepared to fight for what you believe your son needs. I'm very lucky. The town where I live has a child study team that doesn't argue with the teacher's at my daughter's special ed school and always approves the plan of actions that they have recommended for her. Some towns don't always do! Some towns and cities put their fiscal budgets above what children truly need! I have heard horror stories where people have to fight tooth and nail to get what they need for their child.

When you get that evaluation back in the mail, read and study it carefully. You'll want to know it throughly when it's discussed at your son's IEP.

Good Luck at the IEP! Please let me know how it went! I'll say a prayer for you!

Colette

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Tue, 03-14-2006 - 5:30pm

Dear Jackie,

When you get the reports, they will include the recommendations made by the evalustors. That will give you a start on what to expect. Have you been to IEP Board here at iVillage? Those ladies know EVERYTHING about special ed, IEPs, etc. so if you have more specifc questions, go there as well.

You should know that if you do not agree with the proposed IEP, you can refuse to sign it. You can take it home to read over and sign it later as well. You are part of the team and they need your signature. You can bring an advocate if you feel that is a good idea. Have you talked with other parents whose children receive services and are on IEPs in this school district? I would try even now, it is so great to get a head's up on the district and how things work if at all possible.

Also, if you do sign and the IEP is put in place, and later you discover that your child needs more services or different, etc. -- you can call for another IEP meeting. The initial IEP is not in stone, it is NEVER in stone and can (and often needs to be) retooled later.

You sound like you are pretty OK with the people you have dealt with so far, and the fact that he has already been in preschool means that his previous teacher will be able to give strong suggestions as well. Good luck, let us know how things go!

Sara
ilovemalcolm