My (other) First IEP Meeting

 I sat in many more IEP meetings after that first one.  Mostly uncomplicated IEP's with accommodations that I'd provide to any of my first graders or kinders even without an IEP and services that were outsourced to the resource teacher or speech or OT.  Turns out each of these meetings and all the paperwork involved gave me a hand up when it came time for my own son to get his first IEP.

The jargon, the process, the repetitive way of writing the same thing over and over again, the team of experts with acronyms after their names and different roles and goals are just one part of learning how to IEP.  Those previous meetings and experiences for "my kiddos" in my teaching years gave me a baseline knowledge when I first took on the role as parent on the IEP team.

It sounds a bit dramatic, but picture this:  You are in a room with a bunch of other adults at their job on their turf, they all know each other well and work together every day.  They are pointing out to you all the reasons why your child needs help.  They are discussing all the ways that your child struggles more than (what seems like) EVERY OTHER CHILD THEIR AGE.  They are telling you your child should be in a classroom with special ed children.  They keep talking while your thoughts of friendships, experiences and fun for your kiddo are altered.  They keep talking as you think about the future and what everything they are saying means.  Your child is only 3 but you wonder what their future will look like, what your future will look like.

***Side note, everyone at that meeting was very kind and understanding and tried to explain everything they thought we needed to know.  I've learned that no matter how great teachers are at the IEP table it is a super emotional experience.  MAJOR IEP PARENT TIP: Get all the emotions out before the meeting so you can focus on the plan and the data...I like to vent to a friend or therapist (IEP parenting tip number 2, get yourself a therapist), and communicate with the team ahead of time so you won't feel anxious about being blindsided.  

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