Let’s face it, parents — navigating the world of IEPs can feel intimidating, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned vet. IEPs contain all of our kids’ goals, accommodations, and services for the school year, and because they’re often the first document teachers see, they tend to shape the first impression teachers get of our kids. If you’ve ever sat in on an IEP meeting, staring at pages and pages of IEP documents, surrounded by professionals speaking ‘education-ese’ while you’re just trying to make sure your child gets what they need — or you’re feeling overwhelmed prepping for your first IEP — this is the newsletter for you.
No matter how long you’ve been in the IEP game, some of the biggest questions tend to be the simplest ones. You’re not alone if you’re asking things like:
- I know where she needs help, but how do I actually ask for it in an IEP?
- IEP prep — where do I even begin?!
- I don’t understand what schools offer. What’s actually available to my child?
Wherever you are on your IEP journey — whether you’re just getting started, starting to dive deeper, or have been at it for years — it’s always a good idea to revisit the basics. The more you understand the IEP process, the better equipped you’ll be to actively participate and advocate for what your child needs to thrive. Sometimes the most important details are easy to miss, and those details can hold key parts of your child’s (and your) rights. So, let’s break down some of the essential building blocks of the IEP process, from strength-based IEPs to IEP prep to timelines, and more.
- What Is an IEP? IEP 101
- IEP Assessments 101
- Key Parts of an IEP
- How to Develop a Strength-Based IEP
- Preparing for Your First IEP: Elementary
- What’s the Difference Between a 504 Plan and an IEP?
- IEP Timelines
- The Ultimate Checklist for IEP Prep
- 4 Tips for Communicating with Your Child’s Teacher
Undivided Explainers on YouTube
Only have 90 seconds to get those IEP basics in? Check out our Undivided Explainer: What is an IEP meeting? on YouTube where we dive deep into the world of IEP meeting — what they are, who is involved, and why they are crucial for our kiddos.
Then head over to our YouTube Special Education Hub — full of hundreds of FREE videos full of tips and guidance from specialists in various areas of the disability community. Head over to the playlist and give us a follow so you can stay on top of our new content as it comes out!
As one parent told Undivided, “Walk into your IEP meeting ready not to sign and ready to do your homework. The IEP might sound great on paper, but later on you learn that you could’ve gotten so many more things geared toward helping your child — not just geared toward any typical child on the spectrum or with a specific disability. That’s something I wish I would have known from the start. I’ve learned a lot thanks to Undivided.”
RSVP for our next Facebook Live event→High School IEPs and the Transition to Adulthood
Curious how your child’s IEP can support their transition from high school to work, college, and whatever the future may hold? Join us for a live chat on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. PDT with Undivided Education Advocate Lisa Carey! We’ll walk through key IEP milestones and actionable steps, like vision statements, Individualized Transition Plans, and college programs, from ages 14 to 21, so you can confidently prepare your teen for adulthood. Whether your child is 7 or 17, it’s never too early to start planning! This event is open to everyone, with a special Q&A for Undivided members afterward.
Get a link to the event when you RSVP here→
For the bonus live Q&A after for Undivided members, join Undivided now to get access!
Undivided Conversations: IEP Essentials
Need an IEP refresher? Check out our latest Undivided Conversations streaming Friday, September 27 at 12:00 p.m. PDT, where Lisa Carey, Undivided’s education advocate, breaks down the IEP process from start to finish. Learn about assessments, services, accommodations, and what happens after the IEP meeting. Watch the stream this Friday on our Facebook page!
Expert Office Hours with Lisa Concoff Kronbeck
Our next Office Hours speaker is Undivided Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck. On Wednesday, October 2 at 12:00 p.m. PDT, Lisa will be available to answer all of your questions about funding therapies, social rec, and medical supplies through Medi-Cal, insurance, Regional Center, and more! 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!
- If you’re heading into your first IEP meeting, what should you expect? Watch this explanation on our YouTube channel→
- What should you AVOID in a meeting with your IEP team? Check out our top 3 tips on Instagram→
- Calling seasoned IEP vets: share your tips with other members of our parents-only Facebook group! Share on Facebook→
- Help parents and caregivers in your network learn about IEP essentials! Share our resources on LinkedIn→
Or maybe you notice the team is pushing for goals that are too focused on “functional” skills instead of academic or developmental goals? 
