At the beginning of finding that your child has a disability we are then told as parents that we need to attend an IEP meeting. An IEP, what is that? An IEP is an abbreviation for an Individualized Education Plan. An Individualized Education Plan or IEP is a plan that states which services will be provided to your child, how often they will be provided, by whom they will be provided, your child's current progress on his/her goal(s), and your concerns for your child.
Who will attend your child's IEP meeting?
You will attend an IEP meeting when your son/daughter is first identified as being eligible for services (i.e. speech, academics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.). Then from there as long as your son/daughter is eligible to receive services you will meet a minimum of once a year. If changes in your son/daughter's progress comes throughout the school year, the IEP team may meet more frequently. At this meeting, your son/daughter's teacher(s), principal, speech language pathologist (if he/she has a speech goal), physical therapist (if he/she has a goal or services related to gross motor skills), occupational therapist (if he/she has a goal or services related to fine motor skills), and case coordinator (person in charge of assisting with developing the IEP, answering additional questions that you may have, letting you know what your rights are), you, and your child.
What will happen at the IEP meeting?
The IEP team will discuss what your child can do in regards to his/her goals, develop new goals (or continue current goals if applicable), discuss services (who will provide them, where will they be provided, when will they be provided, etc.), and address any concerns that you may have. It is important at the meeting that you share your observations regarding your child's progress and any concerns that you may have. Remember, you are their advocate (especially when they are first starting to receive services). It is also important to note that you will receive updates of your child's progress two to four times each school year. This progress can either be from a photocopied IEP goal page and/or a graph of your child's progress.
Who will attend your child's IEP meeting?
You will attend an IEP meeting when your son/daughter is first identified as being eligible for services (i.e. speech, academics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.). Then from there as long as your son/daughter is eligible to receive services you will meet a minimum of once a year. If changes in your son/daughter's progress comes throughout the school year, the IEP team may meet more frequently. At this meeting, your son/daughter's teacher(s), principal, speech language pathologist (if he/she has a speech goal), physical therapist (if he/she has a goal or services related to gross motor skills), occupational therapist (if he/she has a goal or services related to fine motor skills), and case coordinator (person in charge of assisting with developing the IEP, answering additional questions that you may have, letting you know what your rights are), you, and your child.
What will happen at the IEP meeting?
The IEP team will discuss what your child can do in regards to his/her goals, develop new goals (or continue current goals if applicable), discuss services (who will provide them, where will they be provided, when will they be provided, etc.), and address any concerns that you may have. It is important at the meeting that you share your observations regarding your child's progress and any concerns that you may have. Remember, you are their advocate (especially when they are first starting to receive services). It is also important to note that you will receive updates of your child's progress two to four times each school year. This progress can either be from a photocopied IEP goal page and/or a graph of your child's progress.
