| Are you the parent of a child with autism, a learning | | | | placed in your child's IEP. Related Services are: PT, OT, |
| disability or a physical disability? Are you preparing for | | | | Speech/Language, Transportation, etc. |
| your child's annual Individualized Educational Plan | | | | Issue 9: Make sure all special education services |
| meeting? Would you like a short list of important items | | | | offered are listed in the IEP; check minutes and make |
| that need to be discussed at your child's IEP meeting? | | | | sure it states whether the service is direct or |
| This article will discuss 15 issues that need to be | | | | consultative and individual or group. |
| brought up at your child's IEP meeting to ensure that all | | | | Issue 10: If your child is 16 years or above a transition |
| important issues are brought up. | | | | plan needs to be developed which includes transition |
| Issue 1: Present levels of academic achievement and | | | | services your child needs to get a job or pursue |
| functional performance need to be discussed and put | | | | education. |
| in your child's IEP. Academic and functional levels | | | | Issue 11: Date of graduation needs to be on the child's |
| should be results of tests given to your child, and not | | | | IEP. Make sure that the date that is listed goes until |
| teacher observation. | | | | your child's 22nd birthday as IDEA requires. |
| Issue 2: Educational strengths and weaknesses of | | | | Issue 12: Important methodologies need to be included |
| your child. All weaknesses should be discussed and | | | | as well as amount of minutes that the methodologies |
| needed educational services should be discussed and | | | | will be given per week. |
| written in your child's IEP. | | | | Issue 13: Any evaluations that were conducted on your |
| Issue 3: District and State Wide testing that your child | | | | child. Below average test scores are often stated as |
| will be included in. Standardized testing is critical to | | | | average. Check all test scores; if below age and |
| keep special education personnel accountable for | | | | grade appropriate peers, make sure services are |
| teaching your child; keep copies for future use. | | | | given to remediate the difficulty. |
| Issue 4: Extended School Year (ESY) needs to be | | | | Issue 14: Make sure that the eligibility page for your |
| discussed and written in your child's IEP. Specific | | | | child states that they are eligible for special education |
| services your child is to receive, as well as amount of | | | | services. |
| minutes per week, and amount of weeks given. | | | | Issue 15: Pre and post testing of your child's academics |
| Issue 5: Assistive Technology Services that your child | | | | next school year. Pre testing given at the beginning of |
| requires in order to benefit from their education. | | | | the year, post testing given at the end of the year. |
| Issue 6: If your child has negative behavior that | | | | This will help you prove if your child has made |
| interferes with their education ask for a qualified | | | | progress or not during the school year. |
| person to conduct a functional behavioral analysis and | | | | Also remember to always read your child's IEP before |
| develop a positive behavioral plan. | | | | you leave the meeting. Ask for changes if you find |
| Issue 7: Placement must be decided and put in your | | | | something that you do not agree with. By discussing |
| child's IEP. | | | | these 15 issues you will help your child receive a free |
| Issue 8: Related Services must be discussed and | | | | appropriate public education (FAPE). |