A Few Things I have learned to bring to every IEP meeting:
- Type out your "parent concerns" statement paragraph ahead of time and make them copy it word for word into the IEP.
- Type out a list of things you want to address in the meeting, i.e.: goals, concerns (your outside therapists can help with this too). Try to fit it on one page and make a copies for everyone ahead of time.
- Make sure you bring a very adorable large picture of your kiddo for everyone to see or put it on the copies of your parent list.
- No matter what someone might say, Don't bring doughnuts! Theres never time to eat doughnuts! Bring your own caffeine and get down to business! revision:(Along came the bird suggested chocolate! What a simple yet effective peace offering! Love that idea!)
- IEP folder with your past few years IEP's. You can google/pinterest IEP folders to help you organize one. I'll blog about that someday:)
- A support person. I bring Hubby. We have a good cop bad cop routine (just kidding.....kind of)
- Bring copies of your "10 things you need to know about...."
- Look put together. Most people know I'm a frazzled mess most days but I don't want to look like it when I need to feel confident and fight for my kiddo.
- Wear a smile and don't bring out the fangs until you need to. Even when you when you have the urge to lunge across the table at someone- Smile and try really hard to be polite. Sometimes it's hard but as soon as you become nasty you loose control of the situation. Smiles, Preparation and Knowledge are your best tools in an IEP:)
Being a person who services children with special needs as well as a mother of a child with ADHD and slight articulation problems, I was a bit conflicted about this post. I attend many IEP team meetings and feel that we have a great team of therapists, teachers (general and special), and support personnel in my district. We always are looking out for the best interest of the child and my hackles come up a bit whenever someone challenges our intentions. However I am also a mother and deal with the other side of the coin. Being more knowledgeable perhaps I am just not intimidated by all the jargon and procedures but I do see the frustration of trying to convince others to love and care for our children as much as we do. Know that we value you as a member of the team and your posts are helping to organize those that are just stepping into this world.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments! I have been blessed to have a wonderful team supporting Sadie in our current district. I have heard of and have experienced districts that have the bottom dollar in mind before the childrens best interest and so I think it's important to be prepared for both. In my district now I do feel like a valued member of the team and I know that the other members have grown to care about my kiddo very much. I agree that it's important to know all the jargon and procedures so that as a parent you aren't frustrated or overwhelmed. You can best help your kid with knowledge and cooperation. I run into more people like you who want to help the child rather then overlook challenges and for that I am so grateful:)
DeleteGood list! And while doughnuts take too much time, a little chocolate goes a long way... :)
ReplyDeleteoooo chocolate! Great idea! I might have to revise:)
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