If your child is struggling in school, you may have heard of an IEP from your little one’s teacher or school administrator. As a parent, navigating special education plans can be overwhelming and leave you feeling a lack of control. This article will walk you through what you need to know about IEPs, so you can support your child and get them set up for success both inside and outside of the classroom.
What Is an IEP?
An IEP stands for Individualized Education Program and is a customized learning plan for your child’s unique educational needs. These plans are very specific and address the challenges your child faces in the classroom, such as issues keeping up, focusing, or performing on assessments. IEPs can apply to any setting – classroom, art, music, or specialized learning with one-on-one or small group assistance.
How Does My Child Qualify?
To help your child qualify for an IEP, you need to work closely with your school district. A child may be eligible for an IEP if they consistently do poorly on assignments and assessments in specific subjects, or if they show signs of distress such as struggle focusing in class. Schools will often initiate an evaluation to determine if a child’s struggles are due to a disability or learning challenge that qualifies for an IEP.
Parent and Student Rights
As a parent, it’s important to know your rights when it comes to your child’s IEP. You have the right to be involved in every step of the process from the initial evaluation to the development and ongoing review of the plan. This ensures your child’s needs are being met and that you have all of the information you need to support.
IEP Benefits
An IEP is beneficial for children who struggle in traditional educational settings. IEP learning plans are customized to your child’s needs and are often delivered in small groups with a tutor or special education teacher.
By learning at their own pace, your child can build confidence, understand the material better, and score higher on tests and assignments. A supportive learning environment will give them a sense of accomplishment and encourage them to participate in class and connect with peers.
What to Expect
When your child is on an IEP, you can expect their progress to be tracked closely so the plan can be adjusted as needed. You will have a designated person to talk to, typically a teacher or case manager, to discuss your child’s progress and any changes to the plan. Regular updates will show you how your child is performing academically and how the IEP is helping them meet their goals.
Supporting Your Child
As a parent, you play a big role in helping your child navigate their IEP. Initially, your child may feel disappointed or left out from their peers because of the special nature of their learning plan.
To support them, highlight the benefits of personalized learning and celebrate their differences. You can even share your own school experiences to help them feel normal and build resilience if you struggled in school during your learning journey. As a family, make it a priority to celebrate milestones and successes to boost their confidence and motivation.
By knowing and accepting the IEP process you can be your child’s biggest advocate and help them reach success in the classroom. With the right support, they can flourish in a learning environment that caters to their needs and helps them grow! Needing a bit of extra support as you navigate this change in your child’s routine? Contact NeuroBehavioral Associates today for a custom approach to supporting emotional development in your child, and a helping hand in your parenting journey.
