IEPs

The question that I have been asked the most since writing this blog is "What is an IEP?"  An IEP is an Individual Education Plan. I'll explain what it means to our family. An IEP meeting is a meeting we have once a year, before the school year starts, with Aubrey's entire team to come up with goals and strageties for the year. For example, the occupational therapist may have a goal of Aubrey picking up a spoon and feeding herself by the end of the year. The strategy would be to have Aubrey use a spoon every day at lunch and require her to ask for assistance, using her iPad, if she needs it. Aubrey's team includes, myself, Seth, her classroom teacher, her paraprofessional, speech therapist, physical therapist, behavioral specialist, special education coordinator, physical education teacher, music teacher and the school principal. We all assemble to discuss the goals and strategies for the year. Each therapist usually has 3-6 goals they want to see achieved. We discuss things like how many minutes of speech therapy should she should have a week, how often should she be given breaks during the day, if she should go to lunch with the entire class, how to handle potty training at school, is music class having a positive or negative effect on her day, etc. 

In talking with other moms and from what I see on Pinterest and Instragram, IEP meeting can be an extremely stressful experience. Although they are indeed very long meetings, sometimes almost three hours, I don't mind them at all. It's the time that I get to ask all of the questions I have come up with since the end of the year and where I get to hear all of the great ideas everyone has for the year. I usually have many topics to discuss and am lucky enough that everyone listens and gives me feedback. Since Aubrey's IEP requires some modifications during the year, we have several of these meetings throughout the year where the entire team does not have to be present. I can honestly say that I have never walked out of one of those meetings and felt defeted or angry. There is usually only one area where I feel like there is a communication breakdown- this is a whole post that will come later - but other than that, I feel that Aubrey's entire team is on the same page and working toward the same goals.

For other parents who might be struggling or anxious about IEP meetings, I would say that there is nothing to stress about. You are your child's best advocate because you care about his/her success more than anyone else. So check those emotions at the door and get in there and be the strong advocate your child needs. Remember, this isn't about you, it's about the little boy or girls that depends on you.