How to have a successful IEP meeting..

Sometimes, you might feel as if you and the school are working at cross-purposes.  One thing to keep in mind is, in general, both sides are focused on what is in your child's best interest.  Sometimes, you may even be saying the same thing, but with all the educational jargon that can get tossed around a meeting table, you may not feel like that is what's happening.

Some rules to follow to ensure you have a successful IEP meeting include the following:

1. Know what you want for your child.  This can encompass both the types of setting you feel he or she will be most successful in, and it means the goals you have for him/her.  Do you want her to be able to tell her times tables through the 9s? Do you want her to be able to understand a grade level chapter book?  Do you want him to be able to write a sentence using nouns and verbs? Do you know that he will do better on tests if he is allowed to take them in a separate room?  If you know what you want to see for your child at the end of the school year, you can help guide the process.
2. Try not to blame, or criticize.  This can be hard, because this is your child, and nothing brings out the Momma Bear like a momma who feels like her child is being short changed.  If you feel something is not right, take a deep breath, and ASK for clarification instead.  A simple "Could you explain that to me a little better" may open the door to better communication and a greater understanding on everyone's part.  You may certainly exercise your right to disagree with what is being discussed, but if you can keep away from blaming others or criticizing the school or personnel, you will to a long way to fostering a positive interaction.
3. Seek solutions in which everyone can win.  Keeping in mind the limitations that may be on certain schools or districts, if you can work with the team to help develop solutions that meet with the best of what everyone wants, the team will move forward and progress can begin for your child.  Offer what you know works best - does your child respond to positive interventions? Would a time-out be better for changing behavior? Would it be better for your child to take a test a few questions at a time rather than get overwhelmed? Ideas like these can create win-win scenarios at IEP meetings.

And remember, you don't necessarily get what you deserve - you get what you negotiate.

Educationally yours...


The SpEd Guru