Midwest IEP Consultants

It is not uncommon for parents to feel an overwhelming sense of "what's next??" after they sign their student onto an IEP. Here's four tips to help you to handle this transition smoothly and effectively!

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Have more questions? DM us here or on Instagram. We would love to work with you!

My Child Has Just Been Placed on an IEP, Now What? - Erin Davis the IEP Helper It is not uncommon for parents to feel an overwhelming "what's next??" after they sign their student onto an IEP. Here's four tips for you to handle this tra...

New on YouTube today - What to do if you think the IEP Team isn’t following the plan you agreed upon. Share with a friend who you think could use this advice and hit the subscribe button so you never miss a tip!

What Do I Do if the IEP Team Isn't Following the Plan? - Erin Davis IEP Helper It can be so frustrating when you suspect that IEPs aren't being followed and even more frustrating correcting those mistakes. Here's a quick rundown of the ...

It’s here! A few weeks ago, we teased that we had plans in the works to make our services accessible to all despite available resources. And today, we’re sharing the news!

In exploring and planning a business model, we kept running into the same bottom line: the families who need our help the MOST often have the LEAST flexibility in their budgets for our services. Their out of pocket expenses are often greater than that of the typical American family. We imagined, if only we could offer our advice for free.

So, we are!

Looking for guidance on how to navigate a situation with your child’s IEP? Especially in light of the pandemic changes and new staffing shortages? We are in new territory here! You do not have to do this alone.

DM us on social media or fill out an inquiry form on our website! Ask all the questions and give all the details. We’ll keep your info private but turn your question into a video that will be posted to YouTube for you and others to access. Chances are, if it’s an issue for you, it’s an issue for someone else, too. When we learn together, we grow together!

Come be part of our village! Subscribe to The IEP Helper - Erin Davis so you don’t miss a single tidbit.

Kindness is catching.

As a former special education teacher, this is the best advice I can give to anyone who's navigating the IEP process with their child. While hard ball tactics and rigid expectations might get the job done, your child could miss out on opportunities because, to put it bluntly, people eventually become weary of the recourse that follows if they upset you. You can be firm in your requests as you advocate, but how are you presenting these requests at meetings? When you're a hammer, could it be possible that not everything is a nail?

It's best to remember that the people in public schools are humans who chose their careers because they wanted to help people. At the end of the day, they're managing much, much more than just your child. Not every slight is an attempt to pull the wool over your eyes- honest mistakes can be made. The benefit of offering kindness: if you've fostered a respectful relationship, staff members will be much more comfortable communicating with you from day to day. If you arrive at meetings with a positive attitude, an open mind and a willingness to meet people halfway, you'll be surprised how much further you can get with your team.

Kindness is catching.

Teachers and service providers, what are your two cents on this topic?

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s 43rd Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of [IDEA], 2021, the number of “highly qualified” special education teachers who are actively serving students is on the decline. As stressors worsened by the pandemic continue to cause the mass resignation of teachers that we are currently witnessing, it’s safe to say that we can expect to see that number to continue to fall. Just how sharply is hard to say.

What does this mean for your child’s case management? First, give credit where credit is due: the special education teachers and service providers you work with in the next few years should be commended and supported for continuing to serve students amidst challenges that have never been encountered in public education before. Their work environments are less than ideal and they weren’t well-funded even before the pandemic. Be supportive and patient with them.

As caseload numbers soar, it may simply be up to you to make sure your child stays high on the priority list and doesn’t get lost in a sea of case files. Not sure how to begin or what to watch for when advocating for your child? No problem- we’ve done this for years on the educator side! Let us show you how to keep a strong IEP team intact so that your child will consistently receive thoughtful, well-designed plans that will help them thrive. We would love to help you!

On the blog today, four tips to consider before signing a Notice of Meeting. Share with a friend who might need these tips! What other information would you add?

https://www.midwestiepconsultants.com/blog

Yep- it’s true!

State assessment season is upon us. If your child suffers from test anxiety or is triggered by stressful, lockdown testing environments, you may consider excusing them from “The Test”. Despite most states listing state assessments as “mandatory” in their legislation, many districts across America are becoming more flexible with requirements. All you have to do get the ball rolling is submit a formal notice in writing to your child’s administrators. Don’t ask permission, just simply state politely and affirmatively that you are withdrawing your student from state assessments this year.

Need help getting started? We’d love to assist you! DM us or fill out an inquiry on our website today!

If you feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar terms and rules, stuck with no options, and generally frustrated that your child’s IEP team seems to be working against you instead of FOR you- we’d love to work with you!

🚨Newsflash: 🚨The IEP process doesn’t have to be a heartache! And- YOU are one of the most important players on the team!

Our mission is to take the mystery out of the IEP process and make you a key member on your team- rather than one who’s just along for the ride. The use of an advocate will help you understand your rights so that you can walk into meetings feeling confident and prepared to secure the services and accommodations that your child is legally entitled to.

DM or fill out an inquiry on our website to get started. We look forward to hearing from you!