I don’t know why I am surprised when certain things occur or are said in IEP meetings. 

Frequent Friday Scenario: You, the parent, are sitting in your child's IEP meeting, whether for eligibility, a Team reconvene, reviewing evaluations, etc., and the School District (insert Special Education Administrator, Principal, or IEP chair) says something you find confusing or quite frankly, it just doesn’t sound “right” to you, but you feel silly questioning his or her explanation and authority. I mean, after all - you are a parent, you don’t have the expertise and knowledge this person allegedly has, and you should trust what he or she is saying about your child, right? They said it? It MUST be true?! Let’s use an example: You request a reading methodology or for your reading service to be provided by the school Reading Specialist. Your child has a reading goal, however he cannot read, has not progressed with the current eclectic reading program the school is attempting to use, and has never seen the Reading specialist. School's answer: "We never give 1:1 (or, OG, Wilson, etc) reading therapy, or "We only do small group," or "Students like him do not see a reading specialist,“ or We don’t have enough reading specialists at our school right now so we will have to assess if someone is available.”). Yes. This happens. 

JUST because the school says something, does not make it FACT. If you take anything away from this post, take this: QUESTION EVERYTHING. Ask WHY? Can you explain? Ask for documentation. Ask for the School Policy. If the school says, “We don’t provide 1:1.” You say: “Can you please show me the school board policy on this.” School says, “We don’t have a provider for your child.” You say: “Can you provide me the regulation or law that supports that an eligible student must wait in line until school find the funds to hire another provider for a service he or she needs?” Your child’s IEP is needs-based and needs-driven, and school's lack of resources is not your child's responsibility. It may very well be true that the school does not do X, or that they cannot offer Y. However... that does not mean that they SHOULD NOT! There is a difference - and do not be afraid to ASK WHY! You cannot be an equal team member and provide INFORMED consent, and sign a legal document, if you do not know the facts! Hold them accountable, and follow every meeting with a written letter documenting the conversation and requesting the information!  #specialeducation #specialeducationadvocate #FAPE#IEP #IEPconsultanting #IEPhelp #504Plan #Autism #ADHD#dyslexia www.maseradvocacy.com Jen@maseradvocacy.com