IEP checklist for parents of autistic children

The Individual Education Plan process in Georgia is a long and stressful process for parents and children.

Even with an autism diagnosis and obvious learning deficits, schools are required to provide classroom intervention, followed by several weeks of Student Support Team (SST) tracking, before schools can proceed with a full IEP evaluation.

The school system has 60 days from the date of parental consent to complete the initial IEP evaluation and meet with parents to discuss their child's eligibility for services under Georgia's Program for Exceptional Students.

Eligibility for services includes the following general categories:

• 
  Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
• 
  Emotional and Behavioral Disorder
• 
  Other Health Impairment (OHI)
• 
  Intellectual Disability
• 
  Speech Language Impairment (SI)
• 
  Autism
• 
  Orthopedic Impairment
• 
  Deaf/Hearing Loss
• 
  Traumatic Brain Injury
• 
  Visual Impairment

Depending on your child's individual diagnoses and testing results, he/she may fall under one or more of these categories, including SLD, Autism, SI or OHI.

At the eligibility meeting, parents work together with the school's IEP team to decide a category or categories of eligibility, as well as necessary services and educational modifications. Active parental preparation for and participation in the IEP meeting is the key to ensuring that your child qualifies for and receives all necessary and available services.

As a parent you should:

1. 
   Create an IEP file with copies of your child's private medical evaluations, testing, therapy sessions and other relevant information on your child's specific diagnosis.
2. 
   Request a copy of your child's confidential psycho-educational evaluation report before the eligibility meeting.
3. 
   Provide a copy of the report to your child's doctors, counselor and/or therapists and meet with them to discuss specific placement options and necessary modifications, which will benefit your child.
4. 
   Prepare to audiotape the eligibility meeting and notify the school of your intention so the school can also tape the meeting. (Taping your child's eligibility meeting is essential, since the Georgia Department of Education no longer requires schools to keep minutes of IEP meetings.)
5. 
   On the day of your child's eligibility meeting arrive early and be prepared to actively discuss your child's strengths, weaknesses and educational needs.
6. 
   If the school agrees that your child qualifies under one category, such as OHI, and you believe that your child qualifies under another category, such as autism, speak out, ask questions and find out the difference, if any, in available services, such as speech and/or occupational therapy, counseling, resource time and classroom modifications.
7. 
   Discuss your child's written education plan with your child's doctors and therapists as needed to ensure that the services provided equal the services your child needs.
8. 
   Remember that you can always request a modification to your child's IEP, if your child's diagnosis or needs change or if the school offers additional services in the future.
9. 
   Actively participate in the IEP implementation process by staying in close contact with your child's teachers and school administrators throughout the school year.
10. 
    Keep informed about any changes in the law or school regulations, which may affect implementation of the specific provisions in your child's IEP.

IEP Resources: Georgia DOE, Wright's Law, Parent to Parent of Georgia, Georgia Advocacy Office