Post by @youreducationadvo

One thing about me as an advocate: I am not going to spend an entire IEP meeting arguing in circles. If a team member tells me, “We can’t do that,” and bases that statement on a law, regulation, state rule, professional standard, or policy, I am perfectly comfortable saying: “Please send me the documentation that supports that statement.” Then we can move on with the meeting. That happened recently when an Occupational Therapist wanted to support a writing goal rather than be responsible for an OT goal addressing the student’s identified needs. The explanation was that their state did not allow them to have or support their own goal. Instead of wasting valuable meeting time debating it, I asked for the documentation. She sent it. I read it. And then I responded by email explaining exactly what the document DID say and what it DID NOT say. And by the way… It did NOT say that an OT could not support or contribute to an appropriate IEP goal addressing a student’s occupational therapy related needs. This is such an important advocacy lesson for parents. When someone tells you, “We aren’t allowed to do that,” you do not have to spend 30 minutes arguing about it. Ask: What law says that? What regulation says that? What state guidance says that? What professional standard says that? Can you please send me a copy? Then read the actual language. Sometimes there is a legitimate legal or professional limitation. Sometimes there is district policy. Sometimes there is guidance that is being interpreted differently. And sometimes the documentation simply does not say what you were told it says. IEP meetings should be spent discussing the STUDENT, reviewing data, identifying needs, developing appropriate goals, determining services, and making decisions. I would much rather say, “Send me the documentation and I’ll review it,” than spend half the meeting having an argument that can be resolved with an email. That is not being difficult. That is being efficient. And when someone makes a statement that could affect a child’s IEP, I am going to verify it. Every. Single. Time. *Disclosure: All name, schools, and identifying details have been removed or altered to protect privacy. This content was created in a one-party consent state. The purpose of this post is educational and advocacy-based. #f#fapei#ieprights5#504plana#advocateIEP