What To Say (And Not Say) When Communicating With Your Child's IEP Team

If you have a child with a disability, you know that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a vital part of their education. The IEP is a document that outlines the specific services and supports that your child will receive to ensure that they have an equal opportunity to learn.

As a parent, you play a vital role in developing and implementing your child's IEP. One of the most important things you can do is to be an effective communicator with your child's IEP team.

In this blog post, I will share tips on what to say (and not say) when communicating with your child's IEP team. I hope these tips will help you build better relationships and foster better communication with the team responsible for your child's education.

What is an IEP?

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a document that is developed for each student who qualifies for special education services. The IEP outlines the student's goals, the specific services and supports that will be provided, and how progress will be measured. The IEP is developed by a team that includes the child's parent(s), teachers, school administrators, and other specialists (such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc.). The team meets to discuss the child's needs and how best to meet those needs within the school setting.

Creating and Maintaining an IEP

Parents play a vital role in developing and implementing their child's IEP. You know your child best, so it is important that you share your insights and observations with the IEP team. You should also monitor your child's progress and ensure that the services and supports in their IEP are being implemented as intended. If you have any concerns, be sure to communicate those to the IEP team. The IEP team should meet at least once yearly to review your child's progress and revise the IEP as needed. If you are not happy with the way that the IEP is being implemented, you can request a meeting with the team at any time.

The IEP Team

The IEP team is responsible for developing and implementing your child's IEP. The team should include the child's parent(s), teachers, school administrators, and other specialists (such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc.). Building good relationships with your child's IEP team is important. The team members are there to support your child and to help them succeed in school.

Communicating with the IEP Team

One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to communicate effectively with your child's IEP team. Here are some tips for communicating with the team: 

- Be clear and concise when expressing your concerns. 

- Be respectful of the team members' time and expertise. 

- Be open to suggestions and willing to consider different perspectives. 

- Be prepared to compromise. 

- Keep an open mind.

When to bring in an Advocate

If you are having trouble communicating with the IEP team or are not happy with how the IEP is being implemented, you may want to consider bringing in an advocate. An advocate is a person who can provide support and guidance during the IEP process. In addition, advocates can help you navigate the system and protect your rights as a parent. Hi, that's me; I can help you navigate special education.

Communicating with your child's IEP team can be challenging, but it is important to remember that the team members are there to support your child. Therefore, be clear and concise in your communications, be respectful of the team's time and expertise, and be willing to compromise. 

If you are having trouble communicating with the team, this is a topic I am very passionate about, and I have been working on a project behind the scenes that will help you!

Next week I am making the big announcement on the project that I have been working on for months, and I am so excited to share it with you all. 

I will be sending an email to my community first thing next week! So click here to be the first to hear about it!