IEPs are full of surprises — even for parents who’ve been through a few meetings. With so many details to prioritize, it’s easy to get disoriented: subtle rights in the paperwork, small accommodations that make a huge difference, feeling stuck when the team says your child “can’t” do something, or questions you never thought to ask. These hidden details can change how effectively your child is supported, and knowing them ahead of time can make all the difference. Think of this as your insider guide: everything you wanted to know about IEPs (but didn’t ask).
Q: If the IEP team says my child ‘can’t’ do something because of their disability, how can I advocate?→ Show them what your child can do — and ask for a strength-based approach with neurodiversity-affirming assessments.
IEP essential: and speaking of stronger IEPs…stay tuned this fall for Undivided’s brand-new IEP Assistant, an AI-powered tool designed to simplify the IEP process. Upload your child’s IEP to get actionable recommendations along with a summary that includes your concerns, priorities, and more!
Q: If my child needs accommodations, can they still be in general education classes?→ YES — students needing accommodations and modifications have the right to be in the general education classroom if that setting is appropriate. Learn more about placement here!
IEP essential: bring your child’s accommodations to the meeting with our printable templates! Grab the full IEP & 504 list or a one-page printable to share with teachers.
Q: If my child isn’t making progress in speech, can the school cut their services?→ No, if a child isn’t making progress toward a goal in speech, OT, or another related service, it usually means something in the environment or support was missing and the goal should be adjusted to better match your child’s needs. Goals drive our kids’ services, so it’s important they’re meaningful and standards-based.
IEP essential: Undivided’s step-by-step walkthroughs break big goals into manageable tasks, with expert guidance along the way. Once you’ve built out your child’s profile, your Undivided account can suggest goals to work on to help maximize the support your child can receive.
Q: How can I make sure my child’s IEP covers everything they need — and that it’s being implemented? Don’t feel rushed to sign the IEP at the meeting. Take it home and review! Here’s a list of everything to look for. Once the IEP is in place, you can request service logs to confirm that your child’s services are happening as agreed.
IEP essential: don’t go through the IEP process alone — you can bring your Undivided Navigator to an online IEP meeting with you! As one parent shared, “Having [my Navigator] help me with the IEP and give me ideas really made me feel like I went in better prepared. It was a much better meeting than I would’ve had if she hadn’t helped me.”
Meet an Undivided parent and Navigator→ As the parent of a child with a disability, you can feel stressed out and alone, but with Undivided by your side, that will change. Watch this short video to hear a conversation between an Undivided parent and her Navigator.
FREE virtual event: RSVP now → Back to School with Education Attorney Dina Kaplan from Vanaman German
Are you stressed about statewide district budget deficits, unknown federal cuts, staff shortages, and how our kids’ education will be affected this school year? Join us on Thursday, September 25, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. PT for a FREE event where Education Attorney Dina Kaplan will help answer questions and help you navigate a school year where the stakes and potential barriers seem higher than ever. RSVP here→
Join us for expert office hours
Do you have questions about public benefits systems that help support your child, like Regional Center, Medi-Cal, or IHSS? If you’re an Undivided member, join us for office hours on Wednesday, September 17, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PT with Undivided Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck. If you’re not an Undivided member yet, get started here to join us for office hours every week.
Upcoming Undivided Conversations
- September 12 at 10:00 a.m. – IEP Essentials: Don’t miss this re-streamed conversation with Lisa Carey, Undivided’s non-attorney education advocate, as she breaks down the IEP process from start to finish. Learn about assessments, services, accommodations, and what happens after the IEP meeting.
- September 13 at 10:00 a.m. – Flip the Script on Individualized Education Plans (IEP): Join Lisa again this Saturday as we revisit some of the most common things said in IEP meetings and show us exactly how to respond. She’ll share her playbook for confident answers, so you can walk into your child’s IEP prepared, knowing your rights and ready with a plan.
- September 14 at 10:00 a.m. – The 5 Most Important Things to Remember When Advocating in an IEP – We revisit a conversation with Lisa to learn more about how to make sure our priorities get covered in an IEP meeting, red flags to watch out for, and other tips to help us advocate for our kids’ needs in school.
Watch them all on our Facebook page!
Part of the reason back-to-school season can be tough is we have to trust other people to provide the care our kids need without us around. Hear advice from an Undivided parent about how to make it through→
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Buried in school records and IEP documents? Learn how organizing it all in a digital binder can make everything easier→
The community manager of our parents-only Facebook group wants to know: what do you need most? How can we help? Join the discussion→
What do the new early literacy screenings in California mean for parents, providers, and tech and training innovators? Check out our LinkedIn post→
