How Do We Write an IEP?

Hi,

I have a copy of my daughters IEP, if that would help you.

Please contact me directly for it is personally information.

S. C.,
Paralegal

There's a good book out there called, "The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child". It's by a lawyer: Lawrence M. Siegel, NOLO Press.

Keep a paper trail! Don't sign off on her services until you are satisfied. If you're not satisfied with services she's getting or not getting, say so, in meetings, and in writing.

You can ask for evaluations from outsided sources if you disagree with findings, you'll have to pay yourself, tho. And you can bring those people to the meetings. In fact you can invite pretty much who ever you want.

A source for helping you to advocate is also a website that I think is still going, Mothers from Hell. Basically the Hell part means they wouldn't give up on their kids when they didn't like answers they were getting. The school districts were not happy that these moms wouldn't go away.

And if there's a tone of advocating in the face of negative input from school districts, that's because many school districts are about saving money bottom line.

Good luck, Jennifer

The Family REsource Center on Disabilities is a good resource. They teach parents how to participate effectively in the IEP process and special education and also how to be effective advocates for their children.

frcd.org

S. - I am a speech and language pathologist and work with children with special needs - mostly autism. There are many good resources about writing IEPs. Wright's law is wonderful and very helpful for this type of thing. Make sure that the goals are measurable and the goals will drive the placement. So, the goals need to be written in order that the placement is the assured spot. I would be happy to communicate more with you. Please email me anytime.
M. Ricamato

Hi S.,
I have a lot of experience in this area and would love to be of support. Would you like to give me a little information about your child's challenges and the school situation?

S.

Although I don't work with children with disabilities, I do work in education. My suggestion would be to talk with someone at the school (maybe the school secretary) to see who you need to work with in the special education department. Those teachers have the training to write IEPs. I took a broad spectrum class for working with children with disabilities when I was getting my elementary degree, so I only have a small amount of knowledge of them. You can tell the teachers where your daughter needs help and they can help you write what you want in the IEP. They can also assess your daughter to make sure there isn't anything she needs that you may have missed. Good luck, just remember that the school should be there for you and to help you. Make sure you get the assitance you need on this.

Hi S.,

In typical american public schools the school is required to advise you that you are not the one who writes the IEP. Rather, a meeting is called in which you tell members of the team (teacher, special needs teacher, administrators, etc.) what your child's special needs requirements are. At this point they write the IEP, a legal document which binds the school to the "contract" of providing special services. As her parents, your job is to be her best advocate indicating to the team what her strengths and areas of difficulty are. Be very specific in your communication regarding needs and be sure that it is written into the IEP.

Hope that help.
Chicago School Social Worker

The parent doesn't write an IEP (individual education plan) the local public school district does. First, you would contact the local school district and explain your concerns. If you have any documentation and if your child has recieved any special services that information should also be given to them. The local school district will evaluate your child and write out the IEP. In my area the child receives the services through the local school district.

I am a teacher that always has the LD "cluster", so many of my students have an IEP but I have never heard of a parent writing an IEP. The team, which consists of social worker, psychologist, ld resource teacher, nurse, are the ones that usually write it. Best of luck to you.

Start by contacting the special education department at the school where your child attends. It would probably be best to talk to the department chairperson. Voice your concerns, along with concise, anecdotal evidence of behaviors you've witnessed that you believe warrants a closer look. You may have already had a family physician or psychologist make a diagnosis that explains/outlines your child's specific issue. If not, ask the special education department chairperson to arrange for testing. That is how you begin the process.

Students do not get an IEP just because a parent requests one; typically there needs to be some sort of testing involved. Some families freak out about the testing, but it is actually a crucial part of the process. How else can you or staff members who will be helping your child to achieve success be able to best put together a plan to address the specific needs? After testing to determine the specific issues, the IEP will be written. From my experience as a teacher, there will be a meeting where all parties will attend and provide input - the parents, the classroom teacher, the special ed program teacher (if they do that at your school), the special ed department chairperson, and sometimes even the child (however, I work at the high school level so this might not apply in your case).

If, for some reason, your child does not qualify for an IEP you can always try to pursue a 504 accommodations plan. In the simplest of terms, a 504 is different from an IEP in that the diagnosis and determination of classroom/instructional adjustments have been made from a source outside of the school (family physician, psychologist, psychiatrist).

I believe the public school in your district is responsible for funding the IEP (Individual Education Plan). The social worker and psychologist should do a case study and identify the needs of the student and write a formal plan that ought to be implemented. Once the IEP is completed (It takes a while), all involved sit down and discuss. Hope this helps.

The biggest thing that the school will need is full cooperation of the parents. They will test your child and develop an educational plan that will have them succeed to their fullest potential. Any concerns that may have been an issue in her previous schools, home concerns or just things that you have noticed behavior wise (ex: sitting close to the T.V., Having to have things repeated or re-read) would also be helpful. Just make sure that you ask lots of questions and that you understand everything. Feel free to check up on her teachers to make sure that they know about the IEP and that it is being followed.

Otherwise, it is not a process to be afraid or pensive about. It is just the school making sure that your child is successful.

Good Luck!

S.

Wherever or whatever school your child attends, especially an American school, they will have a book of parental rights.Ask for it, they have to give it to you, it is boring but you will need to read it.
Second, you need to ask for an evaluation, and an IEP, they have 60 days to respond to your request, most schools will do it way before the 60 days.
Any medical information you have will be needed in regards to your daughter.
Always remember to know your rights and the rights of you child. Ask for assistance, if it is not given then talk with the principal and then an educational liason or lawyer if the school does not give your child the proper care and education she deserves.

Hi S.,

I apologize for the late response but life gets busy sometimes. I too have a special needs child and get regular IEP's. Don't worry at all! The teachers will do it for you. You can ask questions, give your thoughts and opinions and requests, let then know your hopes for your child's development. My son has 4 different therapists and they have very definite goals in mind for my son. They are professionals and they know what they are doing. So...relax, don't worry. My son appreciates the little things and he is such a blessing in my life, I know your child is too. Our children have a unique way of looking at life and in my opinion it is a better way. J.