Any last words before our IEP?

Have you been able to visit all the placement options yet? If not, I really encourage you to try to do so before the meeting. How can you make an informed decision about a placement without seeing it for yourself. If I had not done this, my daughters Kindergarten placement would have been all wrong, based on what the rest of the team was suggesting. You are the expert in your daughter and you know her best.

Write a letter of introduction about your daughter. Be sure to make copies for everyone who will be there and start the meeting by reading it. This way, those who might not know your daughter will get a better sense of who she is, what makes her tick, likes & dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. This will humanize her and get people interested in her as a person, not just another file.

The only other thing I would suggest besides all that is written in the answers above is to go to this website and study.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.tips.eason1.htm

I've used many of the techniques found on this link and have been pretty successfull.

Never ever forget that YOU have all the rights. Write down what you wish to ask or know and bring it to the meeting. Things you ask for and they happen to agree to, make sure it is written IN the IEP, not just on some side note pad. I have known teachers to do this, they write your wants, but NOT on the IEP, which will make it law. If you do sign it and do not like how things are going, you can call an IEP meeting ANYTIME you wish...once a week if you want to. Again, YOU have all the rights so don't let them push you around. Having said that, most of the time everything will go very smoothly. The team is there to help you and your daughter and her education. They want the best for your child and will work with you to ensure success for her in every way.

Don't back down. Make sure you get what you want from the IEP and what you want for your daughter. If they know you are serious and will be following the situation closely, they won't try to change things or walk all over you. Just stay confident and I'm sure everything will work out great!

Good luck!!

Be assertive, ask questions and voice your opinion. Make sure you have a general understanding of the autism spectrum as well as your daughter's strengths and weaknesses. I would have a list of goals that I think are important for her to accomplish in a year. If anyone says anything that is unclear, ask him/her to clarify. DO not sign anything up front and do not sign if you don't agree with it (Believe me, I've seen people do this). Remember, you are an important member of the team.

Just remember that the special education teacher and the administrator at the meeting are not your enemies. You don't have to be adversarial to get what you want. They are there as partners with you in the process and, like you, want what is best for your child.

Be sure to ask questions. Sometimes the meetings go fast and you'll think of something later. Don't be shy about calling and asking for clarification. They will be happy to answer any question you may have.

Go in prepared. Have a list of everything you want to address. Have a list of all questions, a list of everything you want the school to do for your child.

Don't let the school change the subject and/or steer you away from your agenda.

Remember you do NOT have to agree with what the school wants.

Record the meeting if possible.

Write a letter after the meeting, addressed to the district special ed director, requesting 'prior written notice' of EVERYTHING that the school wanted to and/ or did started, stopped, changed, and/or refused by the school.

Schools have to have legal reasons for their decisions and put these reasons in writing to the parent in a 'prior written notice'.

I asked what the student to teacher ratio was, If the school had a sufficient amount of funds, how involved could I be in her school education, things that are important to you and her and what you can do to make the transition easier.

Ask when the enrollment papers need to be turned in and if she will need school transportation.

Its not like going to the dentist, you are going to plan your daughter's educational goals with her teacher, ask questions about how she will be serviced, is it a pull out program or an inclusion program, what are your responsibilities and what are the teacher's and school's responsibilities, you are a team.

Be sure to ask questions if you don't understand something. Do not sign anything without understanding it. If you disagree with any of the goals or her placement, speak out. They can't do anything without your signature. You can take someone with you who has been through it before if you want.

Listen, listen. listen. Then if you don't like what you hear...speak up - compromise where/if you can but stand your ground..you're there on behalf of your child who deserves just as good an education as any other student!

Good luck!