Parents often wonder what IEP services are available to their students. Indeed, there are many different kinds of supports, placements, and services, making it difficult to know which are the most appropriate for any one student.
Start with thorough assessments
The basis of a great IEP is the inclusion of thorough assessments. It is necessary to have a complete and accurate report of a student’s abilities and challenges before discussing what services should be considered.
What can be included?
Just about anything can be put into an IEP if it provides direct educational benefit or helps with the process. For example, it’s understandable that a student might need movement breaks to maintain body regulation, but it’s also possible to add a particular kind of chair or seat area within the classroom to an IEP. If a student needs to eat at a certain time, exactly what, when, and even where the student needs to eat can be written into the IEP document if it will help keep the student on track.
Student behavior MUST be considered
Behavior is often the biggest concern for special education students. This an important area for everyone involved in students’ IEPs to understand, yet it is often completely ignored. Many service providers and teachers either get very focused on their own areas of expertise or attempt to provide other types of services (like a speech provider practicing OT or a teacher acting as a behaviorist). Neither of these scenarios is appropriate. It is important that the entire team of providers is named in the IEP document, including the correct provider for behavioral concerns.
The conclusion?
At the end of the day, collaboration between the appropriate team members and the consideration of all IEP services and supports (not just what is “usual”) is what makes an effective and individual IEP document.
Talk to an advocate.
As parents, we understand. As advocates, we can help.