IEP Help
Anyone who has to deal with IEPs (Individual Education Plans) with their children at school know they can be difficult.

But, through my Partners in Policymaking course I took last year facilitated by South Dakota Advocacy Services, I got an idea that has helped tremendously with my son Hawken's IEP meetings. It is a child informational sheet. It helps the staff see your child as a child who has desires and hopes and dreams just like other children his age. One of the keys to successful IEP meetings is to get the staff to look beyond the disability to see your child and learn to appreciate and like her.

Yes, I said like your child. It does make a difference. If they like your child they will more likely do what he needs gladly. And we want them to educate our children with love rather than with grudging resentment.

Along with this, we need them to appreciate and respect us as parents. If they don't like you it will be difficult for them to like your child. Educators want to educate. That's why they are there. But no one wants to deal with difficult people. Yes, the law is on our side, but we have to remember common courtesy, remember everyone is human and wants to be respected and appreciated.

I shall list what I put in Hawken's IEP sheet below. I've just put a link to Hawk's IEP sheet also. I don't have the pictures up but the graphics and charts are shown. Where the big blank squares are, are where I put pictures of Hawk by himself and with his sister and pet. See link below.

His principal said it made everything so easy. The teachers said the same thing. You want the staff to see your child as you do. Make it easy for them. Make up one of these informational sheets. Hawken's IEP meetings have been enjoyable. This informational sheet is the reason.

Here is what I included:
1. Three pictures of Hawken: one by himself;
one with friends; and one with his dog.

2. A list of his strengths.

3. A list of our dreams for him.

4. A list for our hopes for his education.

5. A list of things we don't want to happen
in his education at school.

6. A list of his weaknesses pertaining to his
education.

 Click here to see Hawk's IEP child informational sheet
This is just what I did. There is no right or wrong -- just make sure it accomplishes the goal of showing them your child is a child like every other child. He has strengths and weaknesses; he has dreams and he has a future that can be filled with purpose.