PHASE 1: UNDERSTANDING THE IEP

1. OVERVIEW

Phase 1 of this IEP guide helps you understand what an IEP is, who qualifies, and what rights you already have as a parent. This phase is about clarity, not pressure—you are learning the system before you step into it.

2. WHAT IS AN IEP?

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan created by a public school to support your child’s learning needs. It explains how your child learns, what support they need, and how the school will help them make progress. An IEP is not a label—it is a tool meant to give your child access, support, and fairness in school.

3. WHO QUALIFIES?

A child may qualify for an IEP if a disability affects learning and requires specialized support. IDEA recognizes 13 disability categories:

  • Autism – challenges with communication, behavior, or social interaction

  • Deaf-Blindness – combined hearing and vision loss

  • Deafness – significant hearing loss affecting learning

  • Emotional Disturbance – ongoing emotional or behavioral challenges

  • Hearing Impairment – hearing loss not classified as deafness

  • Intellectual Disability – limits in reasoning and adaptive skills

  • Multiple Disabilities – more than one disability affecting learning

  • Orthopedic Impairment – physical conditions impacting movement

  • Other Health Impairment – conditions like ADHD that affect focus or stamina

  • Specific Learning Disability – difficulty with reading, writing, or math

  • Speech or Language Impairment – challenges with speech or understanding language

  • Traumatic Brain Injury – injury impacting brain function

  • Visual Impairment – vision loss affecting access to learning

Eligibility depends on how the disability impacts education—not just a diagnosis.

4. YOUR RIGHTS AS A PARENT

You have power in this process. Key rights include:

  • You can request an evaluation at any time

  • You must give consent before testing or services begin

  • You are an equal member of the IEP team

  • You can bring support (advocate, family member) to meetings

  • You can disagree and request changes

  • You have access to records and reports

  • You can request meetings when concerns arise

You are not asking for favors—you are exercising rights.

5. WHO’S ON THE IEP TEAM?

An IEP is created by a team, not one person:

  • You (the parent) – expert on your child

  • Student (when appropriate) – voice and self-advocacy

  • General education teacher – classroom expectations

  • Special education teacher – specialized instruction

  • School administrator – authority to approve services

  • Related service providers – speech, OT, PT, etc.

  • Evaluator or specialist – testing and interpretation

6. ACTION STEPS

Start here:

  1. Write down your concerns about your child’s learning

  2. Request an evaluation in writing

  3. Gather outside reports or observations

  4. Start a simple IEP binder or digital folder

  5. Learn the timeline for evaluations in your state

Small steps build momentum.

7. COMMON QUESTIONS

Q: Does my child need a medical diagnosis?
A: No. Schools evaluate educational impact, not medical labels.

Q: Can my child have good grades and still qualify?
A: Yes. Progress does not cancel out need.

Q: How long does the process take?
A: Timelines vary, but schools must follow set deadlines.

Q: What if I feel intimidated?
A: That feeling is common—and temporary. Knowledge changes the balance.

You are not behind. You are learning.


Phase 2 will help you move from understanding to action with confidence.