When I first heard the term Individualized Education Program (IEP), I had a multitude of questions, thoughts, and candidly, assumptions filtering through my mind. And I felt overwhelmed with another item to add to my ever-growing list of responsibilities.
It’s been almost three years since that moment and although I am by no means an expert, I have learned a ton. Also, I am no longer taken aback when I hear the term “IEP.”
If you are just starting the process, I hope I can shed a bit of light on this subject and give you greater confidence going into your first IEP meeting.
I promise it’s not as scary as it may seem!
IEP: The Team Mentality
I think of the entire IEP process as being run like a sports team. The goal of the team is to ensure the star player (your kiddo) is successful at school.
Like any team that wants to improve, this takes practice. It will involve trying new things. It may involve failing and trying other things (e.g., last game, “X” did not work as well as we hoped, so we’re going to try “Y” at the next game). This will involve a lot of communication, which makes sense. The best sports teams I am familiar with excel at communication both on and off the field.
Here are some tips to help navigate a potentially overwhelming and somewhat confusing process.
5 Tips for Creating an IEP
1. Keep an open mind.
There can be a lot of assumptions and plenty of misconceptions about the IEP process. I remember crying, thinking a little boy I love so much was going to spend his entire school career labeled as the “bad kid.”
I spent more time than I would like to admit in my own head, making somewhat irrational assumptions. Wondering what the IEP process would entail and the impact it would have on my son and our family. To avoid jumping to conclusions, I offer you the next two tips.
2. Talk to fellow IEP parents.
Many others have walked this road. I am here to tell you there is no shame in asking for help. Once I started being vulnerable about the difficulty in understanding and navigating the IEP process, I was able to connect with some amazing humans who have been gracious to share their experiences. I have collected tons of golden nuggets along the way (and friendships, too!).
3. Ask questions.
And ask again and again until you have a full understanding. There are a multitude of players on your new team. If you don’t understand the role of someone involved, ask. If you thought the team was setting up for a quarterback sneak and instead the ball found its way down field, ask why. When something comes up, you don’t have to (nor should you) wait until the next IEP meeting to address it.
Again, remind yourself the team is collaborating for one goal — to ensure the star player (your child) is successful at school.
Related Reading: Guide to Special Needs Resources & Support in Fargo-Moorhead
4. Trust your gut.
Remember, you know your kiddo better than anyone. You are their advocate in the IEP process and in life. In my opinion, you play one of the most important roles on the team. If something doesn’t feel right, refer back to the previous tip.
5. Share your gratitude.
With an IEP, each teammate plays a critical role in the goal of the team, and your child’s success is now in the hands of a multitude of others. The amount of time your kiddo will spend with these individuals is significant. And although they were recruited to the team, they choose to show up each day to advance the mission of your team (and many others!).
One last note regarding IEPs that I find fascinating — every single teacher I have asked the question of (and trust me, I have asked a ton) has said they welcome students with IEPs.
And this concept makes sense. They don’t have to guess what works and does not work for your kiddo. They have that information at their fingertips. When they’re part of the team, they have more tools to work toward the goal of the team (again, your son or daughter succeeding at school!).
The folks we have on our IEP team are some of the best humans around. They truly care about our star player and their role on the team to ensure his success. If you are just starting to navigate this process, I am wishing the same for you. If you have questions or want to connect beyond these tips, I am an open (play)book.
