The Gort Family: The IEP conundrum

A few weeks ago we attended Gwen's IEP (individualized education plan), which is a legal document required for all children in the special education system. These meetings can be exhausting, but we've learned over the years that the benefits greatly outweigh the drawbacks - both are worth exploring.

The purpose of these meetings are to discuss your child's capabilities and determine attainable objectives for the year ahead.Typically, we sit with Gwen's teacher, various therapists and the principal or others.

Over the past year, these meetings have been more productive than previous. The communication has been clear and consistent and the meetings are very well-organized.

On the one hand, everyone is there to solely focus on giving your child the services they are entitled to according to state and federal laws. On the other hand, these meetings can be a slap in the face as to where your child is compared to the rest of society, which is based upon standardized test results and labels.

As far as Gwen goes, she is labeled by the state as "severely multiply impaired" (SXI). Therefore, it's easy to let yourself get caught up in interpreting an IEP meeting like this:

"Your child really hasn't accomplished anything since we first started creating these goals and objectives. Your child scores way below her age level (by way below I mean age two or under for some categories), and will always need assistance to meet her basic needs for functioning in society."

IEP responsibilities for parents and educators

For parents like me, I've found it highly important to communicate to teachers, para-pros, therapists and nursing staff what I feel my child is capable of, can do or has done, well in advance of any meeting. In fact, just like with medical staff, I talk about Gwen as much as I can, I tell of her challenges, successes and positive and negative behaviors as much as possible.

For educators, it important for them (during these meetings and beyond) to communicate to me why standardized test results can be skewed, and to not be too alarmed about the black-and-white stuff. I like it when we can talk about what we don't know, when we brainstorm about what she's trying to tell us and when we are work together to be creative about developing an education plan that aims to give Gwen her greatest potential.?

Yes, I've heard all of the horror stories about IEPs. I have sat in meetings with educators and attorneys about why and when to include a mediator (yes, you can bring an advocate or attorney with you to an IEP meeting) and heard many downsides from parents about why IEPs are so awful.

But the number one reason for these kinds of scenarios are a lack of or a breakdown in communications (probably expectations, too). For me, IEPs are about three simple things: 1) What services is Gwen eligible to receive? 2) What should Gwen's goals and objectives be for the year? 3)Can we all agree on a plan or do we need to make some changes?

So, yes, an IEP can create emotional responses when you are faced with 'reality' that can sometimes be communicated in harsh and antiquated terms, but for me it's important to remember that an IEP is about ensuring that Gwen is getting the services she is entitled to through our educations system - it's about her, not me.

The funny thing is that just after we had her IEP that day, discussing where some of her major shortfalls are, we headed back to her classroom. Using her switch-communication device, she told us the great news of how she sat on and used the toilet that day.?

It was the first time they tried it. She has continued to use it since everyday. That's Gwen though, she's going to always do things her own way, despite what we adults think about how or when or why she should be doing something to make our lives easier.

The next time you think you might be having a conundrum with your child's IEP meeting, my recommendation would be to take a step back, then ask yourself if it's a problem directly related to your child or yourself. If it's the latter, only you can decide the next step.

Helpful links for IEPs:

Source: http://thegortfamily.blogspot.com/2012/02/iep-conundrum.html

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