As a parent, you want the best for your child, especially when it comes to school. If your child is neurodivergent or has thinking and learning differences, you might have heard of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). But who writes an IEP, and how can you make sure it meets your child’s unique needs? In this easy-to-understand guide, we’ll talk about the IEP process, the people involved, and how you can play a big part in shaping your child’s education.
Table of Contents
SPONSORED BY: Goally
Goally’s Kid’s Tablet has one of the largest libraries of skill-building videos (like “How to Share” and “What To Do When You’re Lost”) in the Goal Mine app.👇
What is the IEP Process?
Before we talk about who writes an IEP, let’s understand the process itself. An IEP is a legal document that lists the educational goals, help, and services made just for a kid with special learning needs.
The IEP process has several steps, including:
- Finding out the child’s needs through tests and evaluations
- Putting together the IEP team
- Creating the IEP
- Putting the IEP into action
- Checking and updating the IEP regularly
Read more: Make sense of your kids IEP
Each step in the IEP process is important to make sure your child gets the right support. With tools like Goally, you can help your child stay on track with their IEP goals and build their independence.
Who Writes an IEP: The Team Members
Creating an effective IEP is a collaborative process involving various professionals, and as a parent, your input is invaluable. In order to address your child’s unique strengths, challenges, and needs, the IEP team typically consists of:
- Parents: Your insights offer a deeper understanding of your child and help advocate for their needs throughout the IEP process.
- General Education Teacher: This teacher shares your child’s performance in regular classes and provides suggestions for appropriate support and modifications.
- Special Education Teacher: An expert in teaching children with special learning needs, they play a crucial role in developing and implementing the IEP.
- School Psychologist or Diagnostician: These specialists assess your child’s cognitive, emotional, and learning needs, assisting in setting appropriate goals and services.
- Related Service Providers: Depending on your child’s requirements, professionals like speech, occupational, or physical therapists may join the team to address specific issues.
- Administrative Representative: This individual ensures the IEP complies with regulations and can allocate resources to support the plan.
By assembling a strong and diverse team, you can be confident that each member contributes their expertise towards crafting the ideal IEP for your child. With everyone working together, your child’s unique needs will be thoroughly addressed.
Read more: My Child Has an IEP, Now What?
Your Part in the IEP Process: How Parents Can Help
As a parent, you are a very important member of the IEP team. Here are some ways you can take part in the process and speak up for your child:
- Learn about your child’s rights: Get to know your child’s rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and your state’s special education rules.
- Talk to the team: Keep talking with your child’s teachers and service providers. Share your worries, what you see, and what you hope for to make sure everyone understands.
- Get ready for meetings: Collect important papers, like report cards, test results, and medical records, to show your child’s needs. Make a list of questions and concerns to talk about during the IEP meeting.
- Work together: Join the IEP team to create the right goals, help, and services for your child. Remember that you have an equal say in making decisions.
- Check on progress: Keep an eye on your child’s progress toward their IEP goals and tell the IEP team if you have any concerns. Ask for changes to the IEP if needed.
Using tools like Goally can also help you stay involved in your child’s progress. Goally helps kids who need special accommodations build routines and stay on track with their IEP goals, making it easier for you to monitor their progress and support their growth.
Goally | For Kids Who Hate Bedtime 😴😡
Final Thoughts: Understanding the IEP Process with Confidence
Knowing who writes an IEP and how the process works helps you take an active part in your child’s education. By working with the IEP team, you can create a plan that supports your child’s unique needs and helps them succeed. Remember, you are your child’s biggest supporter, and your involvement is key to shaping their educational journey. With a strong IEP team and helpful tools like Goally, you can feel confident that your child is getting the support they need to thrive in school and beyond.
FAQs About Who Writes an IEP
What is the purpose of an IEP (Individualized Education Program)? An IEP's purpose is to provide a tailored education plan for students with disabilities, ensuring that they receive appropriate support and services to succeed academically. Who is typically involved in writing an IEP? Writing an IEP is a collaborative process involving parents, general education teachers, special education teachers, school psychologists, related service providers, and an administrative representative. Do parents have a significant role in developing an IEP? Yes, parents play a crucial role in developing an IEP, as their insights and understanding of their child's strengths, challenges, and needs are invaluable. What are the key components of an IEP? Key components of an IEP include the child's current academic performance, measurable annual goals, special education services, modifications, accommodations, and a plan for progress monitoring. How often must an IEP be updated? IEPs are required to be reviewed annually, but can be updated more frequently if the parents or educators request adjustments based on the child's progress.
This post was originally published on 04/25/2023. It was updated on 07/17/2023.
Goally
We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.
