Individualized educational plan: what parents needs to know

When your disabled child has special educational needs, he or she will more than likely receive these services through the public school system. After a child is evaluated and deemed eligible for special education, an Individualized Educational Plan will be prepared to suit the child’s requirements. Parents need to be aware of their rights and what to include in this process.

Law requires school districts to provide “free and appropriate education” for all children, including those with special needs. What each particular school system considers appropriate may not meet parents` expectations. You will have to become your child’s advocate, evaluating the school system to ascertain if the services offered meet your child’s needs.

Talking to other parents who have gone through this process is an invaluable source of information. They may even be willing to show you the plan written for their child. It would be of great benefit to ask to be directed to support groups, devised of parents who have children with the same or similar needs. Not only would you gain encouragement from those in similar situations, but vital information as well. You will meet other parents who are “experienced”, for they have been through the process several times. Each school district differs in the services they provide, particularly due to tight funding, and you could discover ahead of time what will be presented. You need to ask yourself what your child’s needs are and if they will be met. If you feel they will not, you can fight the school district, or locate outside services that will supplement what you feel is lacking.

Many children with special needs will qualify for Medicaid, which will aide in the cost of many outside therapies. Unfortunately, what most parents aren’t informed of is that the school districts are also funded by this means. If you include certain goals in your child’s IEP, you might not be able to have these same goals worked on by outside services. Medicaid may simply deny the cost. For example, you may feel your child needs more Speech Therapy than is being offered at school. You locate a Speech Therapist and acquire their services. When this Speech Therapist sets goals for your child, they may not overlap what has previously been established by the IEP. If they do, Medicaid could refuse to cover these services and deem them unnecessary. In another words, goals may not be duplicated. When setting IEP goals, make sure they are very specific. If they are generalized, not only will Medicaid not pick up the tab, other insurance coverage you may have could also decline the cost.

Ultimately, working with your particular school district to obtain desired services and goals for your child is usually the best approach. Always remember to get any agreements made with the school in writing. An agreement written into your child’s IEP is enforced by law, while verbal agreements may not always be maintained. There may come a time you need to fight the school system to receive what your child needs. Many people win these wars. However, if possible, it is always best to remain amicable. Your child’s IEP goals will be reviewed annually, when they will be updated and revised. Keeping in constant contact with educators is a must for your child’s progress. You must always be a determined advocate for your child, otherwise, their needs may not be met.