A few weeks ago on Instagram, I asked our community of parents of students who have IEPs, what are some things that have really changed the game for parents or really helped parents in being a part of the IEP team?
Their insight and observations can be game-changers for parents during the IEP process.
Examples of IEP Game Changers for Parents
While each situation and each IEP is different, there are actions that can apply to all that will make the process more accessible for parents. It is important to understand the specific needs of the families you are working with, but it is also important to have procedures for common scenarios so that all parents will be served.
So, what are some of the IEP game-changers that teachers and parents came up with?
I started the thought process and gave the following example:
During an IEP meeting, the special education teacher stopped after each section of the IEP during the meeting to ask [the parent’s] thoughts and concerns.
Here is what other special needs parents had to share:
The IEP Team provided me with additional community resources for me to help my child at home and in the community.
Whether there is work to be done on reading skills or executive functioning skills, providing families with resources that they can use to help their child at home is important. Keep a running list of places or resources for parents in a Google Drive folder and share it with them throughout the year.
The IEP Team thoroughly explained what the evaluation results were and what the data meant. They didn’t just share numbers and standard deviation scores – they showed and explained what this meant for my child compared to same-age peers, and then how this connected to the rest of the IEP.
It’s important to remember that the school and families should always be on the same side – the side that is rooting for what’s best for the child. Taking the time to thoroughly explain the evaluation and how it relates to children of the same age means that parents will have a thorough understanding of why different things are being proposed. Knowledge is power and equipping parents with knowledge makes their job – and yours! – much easier.
The team held a virtual IEP meeting instead of an in-person IEP meeting so the parent could attend.
Sometimes the biggest game-changers are the ones that provide access. Holding virtual IEP meetings instead of in-person events may mean that families who could not previously attend are now able to do so. While it may mean a few extra minutes of set-up to create links and send out virtual invites, it is well worth the effort.
Making sure everyone attended the IEP meeting and that each IEP team member provided input and accurate, objective data.
Everyone on the IEP team has an important role and it’s not enough for them to simply show up and hope for the best. By ensuring that all members provide accurate and objective data and input, it creates a well-rounded IEP that fully addresses the needs of the child.
Allowing the parent to reschedule the IEP meeting to allow for more time. This parent was thankful that she did not feel rushed and was able to really process the information and make informed decisions.
Just like processing time is important for students in the classroom, it is also important that families have enough time to process the information we send home. Simply rescheduling the IEP meeting to allow the parent to have more time to study the information so that she can develop thought-out questions and create well-informed suggestions shows that the team is truly on her and her child’s side.
Sometimes the biggest game-changers require the smallest amount of effort. Never overlook the small steps and accommodations that can be exactly what families need in order to fully participate in the IEP process.
What IEP game-changers have you experienced with your students’ families?
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