As a parent, you want the best for your child. When your child has thinking and learning differences, it can be a bit tricky to know how to help them. One important tool is the Individualized Education Program (IEP). But what does an IEP look like, and how can you make sure it’s perfect for your child? In this guide, we’ll explain the IEP process, its parts, and how you can support your child every step of the way. With the help of tools like Goally, you can feel more confident in your journey.
Table of Contents
Understanding the IEP: A Quick Overview
As a parent, you’re already wearing many hats, right? One more you might be trying to balance is understanding the ins and outs of an IEP. You might wonder, “What does an IEP look like?” In simple terms, it’s a custom plan designed with much love and attention to support your neurodiverse kiddo to excel at school. It includes carefully set goals, bespoke assistance, and services created specifically for your child. But remember, it’s not a one-person show. You’re part of an all-star team dedicated to your child’s success, including teachers and other professionals.
Here’s where Goally is your secret weapon in navigating this IEP journey. Goally has a kid-friendly learning tablet and apps specifically designed for our neurodiverse champions. It’s not just another gadget but a powerful tool that aligns with your child’s IEP to support their unique learning curve. So, while we’re figuring out what an IEP looks like, remember, you’re not alone. Goally’s here to empower you and your child on this unique educational journey.
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Read more: Make sense of your kids IEP
Main Parts of an IEP
Every IEP is different, but they all have some things in common. Here’s a list of what an IEP looks like in terms of its main parts:
| IEP Components | Description |
|---|---|
| Current Skills and Performance | Details of your child’s present abilities derived from tests, teachers’ observations, and your insights. |
| Yearly Goals | Skills your child should aim to acquire within a year, based on their current performance. |
| Special Help and Services | Specific teaching techniques, therapy, and other resources your child will receive to achieve their goals. |
| Changes and Adjustments | Modifications to enhance your child’s learning or adjustments in what they learn and how they’re evaluated. |
| Testing | Specifies how your child will participate in tests, including any needed assistance or alternate testing methods. |
| Best Learning Environment | The ideal environment for your child to learn alongside other children without accommodations, and the reasons for such placement. |
| Planning for the Future | For those aged 16 or older, the IEP should include post-high school plans such as college, work, and independent living. |
Read More: How to Make an IEP Plan
Helping Your Child: Tips for a Great IEP Process
Now that you know what an IEP looks like let’s talk about how you can be part of the process and help your child.
Here are some tips to make the IEP journey easier:
- Get Prepared: Before an IEP meeting, gather information about your child such as test results, report cards, and notes from teachers or therapists. Understand their strengths, challenges, and legal rights. Use tools like Goally to track progress and gather insights to share during the IEP meetings.
- Teamwork: IEP is a collaborative effort. Maintain regular communication with teachers, therapists, and others working with your child. Share insights, ask queries, and be receptive to their feedback. Leverage Goally’s learning tablet and apps for added support and insights.
- Set SMART Goals: Ensure that your child’s annual goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). This helps monitor progress and make necessary adjustments. Goally can assist you in tracking your child’s progress and providing valuable data for modifications.
- Advocacy: If your child needs something, don’t hesitate to ask. Be prepared to justify why it’s needed and how it will help. Use Goally to identify areas where your child may need extra support or accommodations.
- Regular Review: Continually evaluate your child’s IEP to ensure its effectiveness. If your child isn’t making progress or needs have changed, request an IEP meeting to discuss changes. Use Goally to help track your child’s progress and pinpoint areas needing adjustment.
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Last Thoughts: Enjoy the Journey
Knowing what an IEP looks like and how to be part of the process can be a lot to handle, but remember that you’re not alone. By learning, working with your child’s team, and helping your child, you can make an IEP that helps your child succeed. Enjoy the journey, and watch your child grow and do well. With the support of tools like Goally, you can feel more confident and empowered on this journey.
FAQs About What an IEP Looks Like
What does an IEP look like? An IEP, or Individualized Education Program, is a detailed plan outlining your child's educational goals, the unique services they'll receive, current performance, and any necessary modifications or accommodations.
How is an IEP developed? An IEP is created collaboratively by a team including parents, teachers, school administrators, and relevant specialists, all focused on meeting the child's unique educational needs.
What does an IEP include? An IEP includes your child's current performance levels, specific, measurable annual goals, the special education services to be provided, and any necessary adjustments to the regular school program.
How often is an IEP reviewed? An IEP is reviewed at least once a year in an annual review meeting, but it can be revised more frequently if necessary based on the child's progress and changing needs.
How can tools like Goally support an IEP? Tools like Goally offer features such as visual schedules and emotional regulation apps that align with IEP goals, helping track progress and supporting your child's unique learning path.
This post was originally published on 04/25/2023. It was updated on 05/02/2024.
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