IEP in Cincinnati and Dayton, OH

What IS an IEP?

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a federal and state mandated and protected document. An IEP is a document that outlines the student’s academic, socio-emotional, and cognitive strengths and weaknesses. A committee of different disciplines evaluate and discuss the level of intervention necessary for the student to access the general education curriculum and expectations. As caregivers of the student, you are a critical part of the committee, curriculum and expectations. As caregivers of the student, you are a critical part of the committee.

Who is involved?

The committee comprises of the family, a district special education specialist, special education teacher or intervention specialist, general education teacher, school psychologist and any of the related services providers that have evaluated the student. Related service providers include speech-language therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. Typically, the district special education specialist coordinates the whole process. They contact each member and set the meetings. During the meetings, they are responsible for leading the committee to make a comprehensive plan for the student to access the curriculum.

  • The intervention specialist is representing the student who is currently in a general education classroom and is transitioning into special education services.
  • Special education teacher assesses which educational setting is appropriate
  • General education teacher informs the academic expectations.
  • School psychologist evaluates the student’s cognitive function.
  • Speech-Language therapist examines the student’s receptive, expressive and pragmatic language skills
  • Occupational therapist outlines the student’s fine motor skills and sensory integration needs
  • Physical therapist assesses the student’s gross motor, balance, and coordination.

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What is your role as a caregiver?

Your role is to be the voice of your child and to set the long-term vision, so that steps to reach that vision can be crafted into goals on the IEP. Those goals will then be broken into steps to master within the IEP period. You will provide the direction and advocate for your child, sharing insight into what motivates your child; what he likes and dislikes. Also discuss with the committee, the activities and skills (in and outside of school) that are important to the family dynamic.

The committee members are all advocates for the student in different ways but you are their lifetime advocates and your input is very valuable. During the process it is encouraged that you ask questions and pursue your long-term vision for your child. Monitor progress against not only the goal, but your vision, for your child.

Some questions you might want to consider prior to your child’s IEP meeting:

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