Parent Advocacy
Phrases to use at IEP Meeting
Emotions can run high at IEP meetings. But it’s important to focus on the end goal: helping your child. Here are 2 stay calm phrases you can use to redirect conversation and defuse tense situation.
- “How can we work together to make this happen?”
It can be frustrating (to say the least) to hear someone at your child’s school tell you it doesn’t have the staff to implement it. But the law is on your side so make the conversation about collaboration.
Sample response; How can we work together to make this happen? The law says services must meet my child’s unique needs, and this is the recommended service.”
2. “May I see a copy of the written policy?”
Someone from the school might say, ” This is how we’ve always done something.” But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a policy. Defuse any arguments about it by asking to see in writing that this is how they handle the situation.
Sample response:
“I understand this is how you do things. May I see a copy of the written policy that outlines this procedure.
Amanda Morin,
Understood.org
