What my adventures with our IEP have taught me:
1. The school is NOT always looking out for your child's best interests. That is YOUR job and responsibility.
2. You can NEVER be OVER-prepared for an IEP meeting.
3. You can NEVER do TOO MUCH research. Every little piece of info, no matter how small, can be useful.
4. According to FEDERAL guidelines, the IEP MUST BE MEASURABLE.
5. What DOESN'T go into the IEP is at least as important as what gets put into it. Know what you can request for your child.
6. Asking for ALL records, both cumulative and confidential, does not necessarily get you ALL of your child's records even though you are entitled to them.
7. The word AUTISM does not, in fact, tell all educators how to handle your INDIVIDUAL child.
8. INDIVIDUALIZED Educational Programs are not 'one size fits all.' They might actually have to hit the 'customize' button.
9. RECORD every meeting. At least, take thorough notes.
10. ALWAYS ask WHY? or WHY NOT?
11. Take people with you: advocates, friends, state department of education representatives: build an army. The school will.
12. SOCIAL problems are not the same as BEHAVIORAL problems and CAN be addressed in the IEP.
13. NEVER sign the IEP in the meeting, no matter how much they cajole you to do so. You have 14 calendar days to reread it and think about it before you sign or don't sign.
14. Keep your Procedural Safeguards Book handy and maybe even read it once in a while. It will all seem unnecessary until it isn't.
15. UTILIZE any and all RESOURCES available to you. As soon as you get an IEP for your child, go to an advocate and have them explain every page to you. You will appreciate it.
16. Be nice to your IEP team, even if it makes you twitch.
17. Get EVERYTHING in writing! No exceptions. Email is a great way to maintain correspondence.
18. CREATE a binder that has ALL records pertaining to your child's education and IEP. Become a hoarder with this information. We are on our 4th IEP in a year and I have every one, all of the testing, letter from his psychologist, sample IEP's, notes--I really mean everything.
19. DO NOT let the school talk you out of anything you need for your child, or into anything you don't.
20. Just because the district representative says you have to do everything their way doesn't mean they do not have to still comply with federal requirements.
21. You can call as many IEP meetings as you like, as many times as you like.
22. DON"T SETTLE for less. As long as you have reasonable requests, you have every right to them.
23. YOU are your child's BEST ADVOCATE! The principal may cower under a desk when you walk into the school, but it isn't your job to be their best friend. Your job is to make sure your child is in a safe environment and receiving an appropriate education.
24. If your child has a dual diagnosis, you are likely to have double the battle to meet their needs.
25. No matter how difficult the journey, the cause is worth it.
Note: These are my personal experiences with one school and do not reflect the experiences of everyone in every school. That being said, I also know this is not an isolated incident, either.
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