Special Needs T-Shirt by Spectrum Hope
The comments from my post last week were so fantastic, I must share them with everyone. Here is a compiled list of tips for IEP meetings:
- Walk in with confidence, knowing who your child really is
- Never go alone (even if the other person is quiet and take notes)
- Be positive
- Stay focused on the positive of your child
- Assume that everyone in the room is doing the best they can
- Remember the school generally is only looking the upcoming year.
- To get services you must talk deficits, this is hard because we know how wonderful our child is. Acknowledge this and take a box of Kleenex.
- When the school says that can’t because it is against policy, politely ask them for a copy of the policy.
- Listen to that voice in your head.
- If you don’t think you are being heard, give some complements, then ask for what you want.
- Be prepared, bring enough copies of any recent testing or paperwork from outside sources.
- Try to come to the meeting with ideas on how to work with all the people involved.
- Blog about it afterward
Astacia is a highly caffeinated mother of two. She is Seattle Special Needs Kids Examiner and a contributor in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms. She blogs at mamikaze.