IEPs: How to prepare for IEP meetings

So you have an IEP meeting coming up, or you’d like to prepare for future ones. This is an important time to ask questions and advocate for what you think is best for your child.  

These meetings can be stressful and high-pressure for families. But knowing what to expect in the meeting and how to get ready can put you at ease.  

On this episode of Understood Explains, host Juliana Urtubey will go over the nuts and bolts of preparing to talk about your child’s IEP, or Individualized Education Program.  

For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.org.

Timestamps

(01:13) What’s the purpose of an IEP meeting?

(03:04) What happens in IEP meetings?

(05:48) What role do parents play in IEP meetings?

(07:20) Who can parents bring to the meeting?

(10:18) What else can parents do to get ready?

(12:39) Key takeaways

Related resources

• How to find a special education advocate
• FAQs about having your child attend IEP meetings
• How to organize your child’s IEP binder
• Download: IEP binder checklist

Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently.

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