What Exactly is an IEP and How Can It Benefit Your Child?
Do you have an IEP soon? Have you been told that your child can be eligible for an IEP? If yes, let's make sure that you know what it stands for, the benefits of having one, and how your child can qualify for it. The more you understand what it is, the more prepared you feel, and the better you can advocate for your child.
What Exactly Is an Iep?
IEP is short for Individualized Education Program. It is a legal document under our nation's special education law called the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law lays out children's rights in special education.
This law directs the public schools to create and implement an educational plan tailored specifically to students eligible for special education. This way, students with special needs can access the school curriculum and progress towards their educational goals.
An IEP follows your child from school to school or state to state. It is part of your child's confidential educational records, so no one would know your child has an IEP in school unless they are told by you, your child, or your child's IEP team. It will also not stop your child from getting into college or getting a job.
When the school team and parents meet to discuss the plan, this meeting is called an IEP meeting. An IEP is a good place and time to discuss instructions, goals, accommodations, and services that your child might need to succeed at school. It also gives you the chance to voice your concerns and give your input.
The IEP meeting should be held at least once per year, and as the child's parent, you need to be invited. And no, the school team cannot move forward with any recommendations or implementation unless you give your consent first.
How Can an IEP Benefit Your Child?
Having an IEP is like having a map that lays out your child's special education program, including any needed support to get to the final destination. And instead of you doing this on your own, the school team is now part of your support system.
You can find out your child's strengths and needs from the assessments done as part of the IEP process. Having an IEP also gives your child more legal protections. Plus, It allows you more room to get involved in decisions impacting his/her education.
Who Qualifies for an IEP?
To get an IEP at school, your child needs to be eligible for special education. To qualify for special education, your child needs to have a disability that falls under one of the following categories:
- Autism
- Deaf-blindness
- Deafness
- Emotional disturbance
- Hearing impairment
- Intellectual disability
- Speech/Language Impairment
- Multiple Disability
- Orthopedic impairment
- Other health impairment
- Specific learning disability
- Visual impairment
- Traumatic brain injury
However, having any of these disabilities alone does not qualify your child for special education. The disability needs to negatively affect your child's educational performance. His/her educational needs cannot be met through general education setting alone.
And no, you do not need to get a diagnosis from your child's doctor or private assessor. It can be helpful, but it is not a must. Instead, you can request that the school conduct an initial assessment to see if your child falls under any of these categories and qualifies for special education. If the school approves your request, it is done at no cost to you. If your child qualifies, any support or services determined by the IEP team as necessary are to be provided at no cost to you.
- Send a written request for the assessment. It can be a typed or hand-written one.
- Include in it what kind of assessment you are looking for and the reasons for your request.
- Date, sign and give it to the teacher. This way, the school will need to respond to your request within 15 calendar days.
- Follow up if you still have not heard anything back after that timeline, and remind them that they legally need to respond. If they do not approve, they will need to include the reason for it.
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Disclaimer: The info here is for educational purposes only and shouldn't be seen as any kind of legal advice.