I’ve decided to share some IEP experience tips and give other parents an insight to what they should expect.
- First, be prepared to have many, many meetings so they can evaluate your child. We, personally, had 7 meetings before the final meeting.
- Second, always remember that you are your child’s best and only advocate. Fight for what you feel your child deserves and needs.
- Third, have support during this process. This could be your spouse, family member or friend. Makes decisions easier and takes the stress of pressure off of you.
- Finally, Don’t feel obligated to sign when presented with their IEP recommendation. You can take it home to “think” about it. I took it home and asked my sons pediatrician and other therapists what they thought and they all thought he should have more time.
I just recently received the decision of what the school district is offering for my son. They are giving him 1 hr a week of group speech and that is it! I requested to take the IEP home and decide what I think.
I am going to come back at them with the request for at least 2 hrs a week of individual speech and at least 1 hr a week of OT.
Once they review my request, they will schedule another meeting and I will find out if they will be adding my request or if they don’t feel he needs the extra time.
*I will post an update once we get the final decision.*
Please feel free to share some of your experiences or any comment or questions you have! 😁
Cloe Pottorff 