Are you up at night wondering how you should prepare because your child has a big transition right around the corner? Call it what you will — transitions, big leaps, rites of passage — these exciting milestones in our kids’ lives can also leave us (and our kids) feeling terrified. New friends, new campus, new teachers, new schedules. Whether we’re preparing a move to a new grade level or school, or transferring to a whole new school district, part of the IEP process will include transition IEP meetings to help ease kids into their new environment and set them up for a successful move to a new time in their life.
This week, we’re exploring how to prep for your child’s big transitions — whether the next one is in a few weeks, or in a few years.
Are you preparing to transition from your child’s current school into the new one? The process can stress any parent out — whether you’re seeking a learning environment that’s a better fit for your child, or even relocating due to military service. For help navigating the key steps as you settle into a new school with an IEP, read our article Transferring School Districts with an IEP.
So your kiddo is all ready for preschool. What’s the first step? you may be asking. Selecting the right preschool for your child can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not yet sure what to look for (part of this preschool transition can even include primary services transferring from Regional Center to the school district when they turn three). Learn all about this transition in our article Choosing a Preschool and Preparing for Your Child’s First IEP.
Transitioning from a playful preschool to a public elementary school is often a child’s first big leap, and can be overwhelming for them (and for us!) — kindergarten pre-assessments; school tours; the transition IEP meeting; and more. Find tips to help smooth out the process in our article Making the Transition to Kindergarten with an IEP.
The jump to middle school can shake up our kids’ routines. Transition IEPs are a great way to discuss your concerns, whether they’re about which school your child will attend, lockers, PE, or accommodations. Read all about it in our article: Making the Transition to Middle School with an IEP.
If you’re preparing for your child’s transition to high school, you probably have a lot on your mind: diploma, college prep, extracurriculars and electives, high school jobs, etc. For tips to get ready for this crucial period in your teenager’s life, including how they can participate in their transition IEP meeting, read our article: Making the Transition to High School with an IEP.
For families who want a deeper dive on transition IEPs, watch our full event replay with special education advocate, Dr. Sarah Pelangka: Navigating Transition IEPs: Making Strides Without Stumbling.
One Undivided member shares with us, “In good news, I had my IEP on Friday and it went really well. It was our transition from a SPED preschool class to Learning Center model Kindergarten. We were able to get our speech services increased, OT added, and all of our requested accommodations addressed. [Undivided] helped us get appointments with a Developmental Pediatrician and psychologist; I think it really helped that I went into the meeting with recent confirmation of all his diagnoses and cognitive testing.”
Are you touring schools to prepare for an upcoming transition? Get tips on what to look for during a school tour on YouTube→- Have you recently joined our private Facebook group for parents? Please introduce yourself — we’re excited to meet you! Join the discussion→
- At the heart of any transition and everything in between: your child’s vision statement. What’s that, you say? Check it out on Instagram→
- We’re always on the lookout for news stories about advocacy and disability rights! Have you seen a story we should share? Tag us on LinkedIn→
- Get step-by-step guides to all things IEP in the Undivided app, with 1:1 Navigator support to help answer your tough questions. Start here→
Office Hours with Lisa Carey
On Wednesday, February 7, 12:00–1:00 p.m. PST, Education Advocate Lisa Carey will be available to answer questions about IEPs and special education. Stop by for five minutes or the whole hour to get expert answers and connect with other parents. Bi-weekly Office Hours are virtual Q&A sessions with experts that are open to Undivided members only, so if you’d like to attend, sign up here to begin your free Kickstart!
This newsletter was originally sent to our subscribers on 2/1/24. Subscribe to our newsletter to get more resources like this in your inbox, and check out our full library of articles, templates, and videos at undivided.io/resources.
