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I have spent years on both sides of the IEP experience – each Individualized Educational Plan meeting is the same, but different. I often reflect on how different the meetings feel, depending on why we are gathering. If you need help navigating the IEP experience, consider the resources you’ll find at Wrights Law.
Both Sides of the IEP Experience: A Poem
It is a Tuesday afternoon. A reminder pops up. An IEP.
It is a Tuesday afternoon. A reminder pops up. Your IEP.
You join the group, ready to apply your years of experience.
You join the group, feeling daunted, despite your years of experience.
Introductions. You know the team well – except maybe the parents.
Introductions. The team has changed a bit, except for you, the only constant.
Present levels. Some you have observed, others are evident only outside the scope of your experience.
Present levels. Your day-to-day, minute-to-minute vantage point –
remarkably little of which is reflected in school observations.
Goals. Variations on a theme. ADD, anxiety, depression, dyslexia, specific learning disabilities, autism.
Goals. Variations on a theme. Autism impacts every class, every subject, every moment.
Services. You are a member of the team. You agree to your role – your piece of the puzzle.
Services. You are a member of the team.
Your role is to ensure that all the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
Signatures. Reflexive. You sign your name dozens of times a day. This is just once more.
Signatures. Contemplative. You will wait to sign.
You will review this document with your partner, your BCBA, your OT, your SLP, your neurologist, and maybe your attorney.
After the meeting you move on quickly. There is another lesson to prepare, another professional development session, another meeting, another student awaiting your attention.
After the meeting you reflect. How many years you have been doing this. How many more years you will do this. And what will happen after the last IEP is held – then what will happen?
Related Posts:
The Sisterhood of Special Needs Parents
How to Be an Autism Advocate: Remembering and Honoring Feda Almaliti
