How to Prepare for a First IEP Meeting

Individualized Education Programs, or IEP's, are legal documents ensuring special education students rights to services and educational goals. Together with several professionals from the school district, parents help put the IEP together to best help their child. IEP meetings are not always set up to be a team setting, so parents need to make sure they go in fully prepared and informed so their child benefits from the IEP. The first IEP meeting is especially intimidating since parents often don't know what they're walking into. This article details how to prepare for the first IEP meeting.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• three ring binder
• all paperwork pertaining to child (medical, therapy, school, early intervention)
• three hole punch
• dividers

1. Contact the coordinator. Find out who will be there representing the school. It may sound unimportant, but knowing that ten other people are going to be there is far better than walking in and realizing you're far outnumbered. Also inform them if child care is necessary, since usually they can hold the meeting in a classroom so the kids can play and the adults can focus on business.

2. Buddy up. Regardless of how things look, or if they offer the moon and more in terms of services, take someone else. Sitting alone facing five to ten (or more) people is intimidating and not fun. Take a spouse, a friend (preferably one who knows about disabilities and rights) or if at all possible, an advocate.

3. Get an advocate. Yes, it's expensive to hire an advocate. However, it's not always necessary to pay for it yourself. Sometimes local autism agencies fund advocates for local families. Even if it is out of pocket, it's probably worth it. Rest assured that most schools will not offer everything your child qualifies for. They get paid for special education children, but don't use all those funds on your child. Having an advocate ensures your child gets what they are entitled to.

4. Buy supplies. You need a binder, a three-hole punch and some dividers for an IEP binder. Keep everything the school district hands you at every meeting, and any email or written correspondence. File it in this IEP binder. The IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) needs its own tab.

5. Get paperwork together. Collect any evaluations, doctor's diagnoses or important paperwork that may be relevant. Punch holes in them, use the tabs to label them and make them easier to find later, and put them in the binder. Organization helps when looking for a specific piece of paper later.

6. Think about school registration. Schools generally require a few things before children can begin attending. These usually include a birth certificate, shot records, proof of residency and a parent or guardian's picture identification. Contact the school for their specific requirements, and get those things together prior to the IEP meeting.

Resources

• IDEA and IEP Information