The Most Important Part of your Child’s IEP

The Student Profile and Strengths, are the most important part of your child’s IEP.The IEP is built off of these descriptions. For example: Moe has a hard time with reading, he can read and is at grade level, but because of his disability reading has become a very tedious and torturous process. What Moe does like, is listening to audio books. Knowing this, I had it included in his IEP profile. Moe enjoys listening to audio books, he has a difficult time sitting still to read. Strengths: Moe fully absorbs the books he hears, he can given oral reports on them that are highly descriptive.

So how did this help the team? We were able to put in the IEP that Moe is allowed to listen to his book report books, instead of reading them. Directions for tests and test questions are to be read to Moe. Any lengthy text book reading assignments must be read to Moe.  

Make sure you include: Learning style (hands on, listening…), likes, dislikes, test scores, strengths, weaknesses, if they are routine oriented, do they like to be outside, do they like: puzzles, chess, cooking, wood work, fishing, hiking, animals, skiing?  Do they have: sensory issues, problems sitting still for to long, or have a hard time learning names?  Do they like to help younger children?  Are they really into team sports?

Don’t let anyone tell you that there is only some much space for your child’s profile and strengths, so you must limit what is written. Another page can always be added. People might also tell you that if there is less information people will be more apbt to read it. Though this might be true, you need that information to build a strong IEP. I think it is worth the risk.

Think out side of the box on how this information could help your child’s IEP Team develop an IEP that is both individualized and appropriate for your child.

~ by winterpasthomestead on October 26, 2008.