Tag: iep prep

Have you ever walked into an IEP meeting and been met with an overly negative attitude from anyone on the IEP team? Or maybe you notice the team is pushing for goals that are too focused on “functional” skills instead of academic or developmental goals? And, of course, maybe you’ve heard the classic: “Your …

When it comes to navigating school, IEPs might be the one thing parents dread the most. It’s not just the meetings — it’s the paperwork, the emails, the sheer number of people, the stress of making sure nothing gets overlooked. It’s walking into a room where everyone seems to be speaking a different language and …

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 …

Understanding your rights as a parent is vital to the IEP process. This includes your right to disagree. In an ideal world, parents and the school would be on the same page about a child’s assessments, educational placement, related services, accommodations, supports, and goals. While this is certainly possible, sometimes, no matter how great a …

What are IEP goals made of? Sugar, spice, and…everything nice? If only it was that easy, right? In reality, the goal-setting process of an IEP — while essential in prioritizing the skills our kids need to access the general education curriculum — can feel pretty complicated. As parents, our input is essential when it comes …

For most of us, IEPs are not a fun process. We might feel a lot of pressure, some intimidation, a fair amount of confusion, and possibly some mistrust. All of this stems from the reality that as bureaucratic as IEPs may feel, they are vitally important. Preparation is key to feeling a little less lost …

Getting ready to send our kiddos off to preschool can feel both exciting and daunting. This is the time most of us first experience what it means to explore placement options, inclusion, and the great and powerful…IEP. As parents, we want to start our kids’ educational journey right, but navigating their first IEPs can often …

With IEP season in full swing, we’re setting our sights on strength-based IEPs and how to develop one using a whole-child, strengths-first approach. But what exactly is a strength-based IEP? Is it just another buzzword or do kids actually need one? (Yes, they do!) If you’ve sat through an IEP meeting before, or read through …

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 …

Tips, checklists, & parent stories to help you feel confident for your child’s next IEP meeting! IEPs help hold schools accountable for protecting our kids’ rights to a free, appropriate public education. Your child’s IEP will contain all their goals, accommodations, and services for the school year. It’s understandable to feel intimidated by one (or …