The Parent Struggle: I don't know anything about IEP's or Special Education

 It can be incredibly intimidating becoming a part of a team of professionals who all know each other and have been doing this for years.  You are essentially the outsider and the subject of this meeting is your child.  It's highly emotional and combined with the initial intimidation...ooof.  

You may find yourself nodding along to whatever is said while inside you are extremely confused.  

Solutions: 

1) Ask a lot of questions, every question that pops into your head as it comes up.  Stopping the conversation to ask a question so you can have clarity is EXACTLY the right thing to do.

2) Hire an advocate.  An advocate is there to help you understand and to make sure that all the correct supports are in place, appropriate goals are included and that the IEP is implemented correctly.  

3) Do your own research, there is a ton of stuff out there but your school should give you a parents rights packet, you can start there, Google IDEA law and look over the actual legislation, listen to podcasts and read books, Google accommodations and IEP goals.  All of these things are free (if you get your books at the library).  You can fall down a rabbit hole of information so give yourself a time limit, but its amazing to see how many there are.  Check out my social media to see some of my recommendations.  

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