If you suspect your child has a disability and your child attends public school or is about to turn 3 years old, they may be eligible for an IEP (Individualized Education Plan).
When the child is already attending school, it is the school district’s responsibility to identify students who may be eligible for an IEP. The school is required to offer parents testing to find out whether or not their student needs special education or is eligible for services. In an ideal world, that would happen and students would receive the supports and services they need. In the world we all live in, it happens but not very often.
Most of the time the special education process starts when parents realize that something is not quite right, or that their child is missing milestones. The student may be struggling in school, or not making expected progress. Often parents will have conversations with the teacher or principal about their concerns. This can lead to an SST meeting. It is an attempt on the school’s part to do something, and there are no federal or state requirements. If the student’s challenges are mild, this may be enough. If the student needs significantly more support, this may delay the start of services which could make a big difference in the student catching up to their peers.
Your first step is to email the district asking them to test your student in all suspected areas of disability. Conversations are great, and if you do not write it down, the district is not required to act. You list all of your concerns about your child’s development. These can include social, academic, speech, etc. The next step is to include any medical diagnoses that you think it would be helpful for the district to know. Finally, list any other interventions or supports your child has had.
From the time the District receives your email, they have 15 calendar days to respond (except during school breaks of longer than 5 school days). Their response must either be that they agree to assess, and a list of proposed assessments, or a denial.
Obtaining a first IEP for a student can be a long and challenging process, and we can support you every step of the way. We can help organize your request for an assessment letter to make it more difficult for the District to say no. Once your student is tested and you are preparing for the IEP Team Meeting, we can help with preparation, understanding the process, and guide you on being able to fully participate and be taken seriously yet collaboratively by the IEP team.
For help at your child’s next IEP meeting, more information about our special education advocacy services, or for a FREE 20-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit for you, call or email today!
As parents, we understand. As advocates, we can help.