How to Get an IEP (individualized Education Plan) for Your Child

Before I became a stay at home therapy mom, I taught in the classroom for eight years. I am very familiar with the process to get my children help if needed. I am also very aware of our rights. It is so important for special needs parents to know your rights, and how to get services for your child, so you can advocate for your child.  You are their best advocate!

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) helps special needs parents work with educators to create and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that helps special needs children succeed in school. The IEP states the child’s goals as well as the support (accommodations / modifications) the child will need to be successful.

 Any child struggling in school is edible for an IEP. Most students that have IEP’s have learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, ADD/ ADHD, Autism, emotional disorders, behavioral disorders, impairments (hearing, visual, speech),or developmental delays.

The process begins when a parent, doctor, or teacher notifies the school of their concern. The school will then have the parent, teacher, and possibly doctor fill out paperwork on their observations of the student including analysis of their performance. Then everyone will bring their data to the meeting and the parent and student can voice their concerns. All of this information will then be looked at by the personnel (which could include the Vice Principal, Teacher, Counselor, Support Teacher, and/ or Therapists) to determine if services are needed or if a child first needs to be tested for a disability. If it is concluded that the child needs services to help them be successful at school, an IEP meeting, also known as an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meeting happens next.  

At this meeting, the personnel (which could include the Vice Principal, Teacher, Counselor, Support Teacher, and/ or Therapists) will discuss your child’s needs (accommodations / modifications) and create short term and long term goals. Next, everyone will discuss support your child will need. Support could include special education, therapy, or counseling. Last, everyone will sign the document saying they are in agreement. If you disagree with any part of the IEP before it is in place, mediation meetings are an option; however, during this time, your child will not receive services. An attorney or an advocate can also provide representation if needed.

Once an IEP is put into place, the goal is for the child to be put in the least restrictive environment.  Some children will stay and receive services in a regular classroom, while others will be put into a special class.

The IEP will be reviewed (by law every three years) to make sure the goals still meet your child’s needs. At this time, you can add or take away anything from the document that no longer helps the child succeed.