Education and Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
Monday, August 1, 2011 at 3:00PM Education is essential to a person’s life. It is hard though for people with disabilities to get accomidations that they need. This is why in the legal world, there is a plan for students with learning disabilities called an Individual Education Plan or (IEP). There are also very simple accommodations that are legally required for schools to implement. Unfortunately, many schools will make it hard for parents to get their child's accommodations.
According to kidshealth.org, an IEP is a plan the educators and parents can make for “kids with delayed skills or other disabilities” to help them succeed and to get services that are available to help the child to succeed in school and to achieve goals that have been set as a part of the IEP. Kids who are eligible to get an IEP include: kids with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or (ADHD), emotional disorders, cognitive challenges, autism, hearing impairments, visual impairments, speech or language impairments, phyisical impairments, and developmental delays. This is a wide spectrum of children, which includes a variety of disabilities. Each IEP is planned for the specific child and no two plans are the same. Individual Education Plans can be obtained from observations that have been made on a student’s performance in academics, a conference with a parent/guardian or the student, or a student analysis. When a child is approved for an IEP, a team or supports for the child is assembled including therapists that are needed in the specific child’s situation, a special educator, teachers, a representative of the child, and most importantly a district representative. At the first IEP the team will make a plan as to what the IEP should entail. The team will discuss the needs of the child and goals for the school year. The IEP will be reviewed anually.
As part of the IEP plan, there may be services that are offered, though out the day. For example, small reading groups with a teacher’s aid, vision therapy, hearing therapy, physical therapy, counseling, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other services. Other accommodations may be a notetaking aide for people who have trouble taking notes in class, the use of a computer, etc. These accommodations can be changed at any time based on the child’s needs and progress.
The process of getting an IEP is complex and can be a struggle at times to deal with. The school district is required to help a child obtain an IEP if the resources they can provide are not substantial enough. Many children in a private school setting may not be able to get the same services that a child in a public school setting can get. Although the range of disabilities that can be eligible for an IEP are quite wide; not all children with disabilities will get one especially if they are in a private school setting. On the other hand, when an IEP plan is obtained, it can change a child’s educational life for the better and make a huge impact on the achievements and success that the child has in an educational setting.
Education, Natalie Roden
Reader Comments (2)
IEP for son @ age 18 they dropped him, im disabled have been hospitalized 6 times in the last year and can't advocate for him ant more he had an AB3632 severe emotional trauma, molested by biological father, and I feel helpless afraid to die what will happen to him.....He was receiving disabilty, they stopped in Jan 2011 no reason after it took 9 months to be approved.....PARALYZED.....
Ms. Baxter,
Disabled students are entitled to a free and appropriate public education, including an IEP, until they receive a HS diploma or until they turn age 22, whichever comes first. Disability Rights and Education Defense Fund (DREDF), located at the Ed Roberts Campus, offers a free monthly workshop called "Understanding the Special Education Process: IEP Basics & Beyond" ... http://www.dredf.org/programs/PTI.shtml .
If you would like information about the process for appealing a decision to cut disability-related governmental benefits, I recommend contacting Disability Rights California... http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/about/index.htm .