Your First IEP Meeting at Age Three

Valerie Balser, SDE Educational Facilitator

If your child is eligible for and receiving early intervention services, they will be evaluated for special education services which would begin at age 3. The focus will be on providing services and supports to meet your child’s needs in an educational setting. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed by the IEP team which addresses how your child’s disability affects their progress in the educational setting. The IEP will be developed annually and reviewed as needed. You will be an invaluable team member since you are the expert about your child.

This will be a time of change, and it is important for you to be pro-active in regard to your child’s education. Learning skills to be an assertive participant in meetings will give you confidence and help you to be an effective team member. Realizing that parental involvement is key to your child’s success, you will want to meet with school professionals regularly showing respect and participating as a partner. Follow a chain of command for questions and concerns in order to resolve them as quickly as possible. Remember to choose your battles and collaborate to build relationships and bridges for the future.

The following suggestions will help you be successfully involved with your child’s education and make a positive contribution:

Collect and keep all doctor and school records for your child.
Document all communication and issues that occur.
Learn about your child’s disability so you can come up with solutions.
Talk with other parents and do research for ideas & answers.
Prepare before meetings with a list of concerns and suggestions.
Don’t sign anything without reading, understanding and agreeing with it.
Immediately get and keep copies of all documents you sign.
Look at all papers and reports your child brings home and respond when needed.
Meet with school professionals regularly to keep things on track.
Volunteer at school and show appreciation regularly to all school staff.

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