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Event Recap

5 Tips to Help Parents Request Services in an IEP


Published: Feb. 23, 2022Updated: Sep. 9, 2024

Many parents wonder what services they can ask for in an IEP and how to ask for them. Are you conflicted about asking for push-in or pull-out services for your child? Have you ever considered writing parent training into your child’s IEP? Dr. Sarah Pelangka gave us great advice about how to frame requests the right way and prep smart! Check out Dr. Pelangka's top tips from our live event.

Know what you can ask for

Parents can't ask for just any therapeutic service in an IEP; there's an established list of the services that support students in accessing special education. Listen to Dr. Pelangka explain the most common services on the list, including one that most parents don't know to ask for, in this clip:

Request materials to support your child at home

As Dr. Pelangka explains in this clip, parents have the right to request materials like visual aids and other tools used at school to continue to support their child at home:

During the live event, Erin J. commented, "My son has that option if we (parents) want to 'learn the strategies' utilized in the classroom at home." Undivided Care Navigator Iris B. said, "This is awesome! Many times we just don’t know that is even an option!"

If you didn't know you could ask for copies of the tools your child uses at school, request them from their teacher, and consider writing this into your child's IEP!

Understand what aides can offer

Has your child been assessed for a 1:1 aide, or do they currently have one? Do you know what to expect? A lot of questions about working with aides came up during our live event. In this clip, Dr. Pelangka explains the four main types of assistance that aides can provide during the school day and how students are assessed for whether they need an aide:

When you know what aides do, you'll have a better sense of what to ask for in your IEP. During our event, Shari A. advised fellow parents: "Accept as many services as possible at the start so you can have what's needed when it comes up." Iris B. responded, "You are so right! This was told to us in the beginning of our journey as a way to hopefully get everything she needed."

If you're not sure whether your child would benefit from an aide, it may be a good idea to start with an assessment and accept any services offered. You can always re-evaluate leading up to your next IEP meeting.

Ask to see the data

Once you've requested services in the IEP, how do you know if they are being implemented? Dr. Pelangka advises parents to request progress reports that include samples of their child's work to see if they're making progress toward their IEP goals. Remember that you have the right to observe sessions and receive service logs, as Dr. Pelangka explains in this clip:

Write an inclusion specialist into your IEP

As a parent, it can be overwhelming to keep track of all the services, accommodations, and modifications your child needs, but you don't have to be solely responsible for your child having a successful education. The school district's inclusion specialist is a wonderful resource to rely on.

During our live event, Carrie W. commented, "I wish I had fought for an inclusion specialist, but they always said that was the SpEd teachers job." As Dr. Pelangka advises in this clip, you can write an inclusion specialist into your IEP so that the district provides access to one!

Dr. Pelangka gave plenty of other great advice during our live event to help parents prepare for IEP meetings and make sure their kids have all the support they need. If you missed the event or want to review what we learned, you can watch the full recording or read the full transcript here!

Contents


Overview

Know what you can ask for

Request materials to support your child at home

Understand what aides can offer

Ask to see the data

Write an inclusion specialist into your IEP
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Author

Brittany OlsenUndivided Editor

An editor and cartoonist who loves using words and images to simplify and share ideas. She has ten years of experience as a copy editor and lives near Portland, Oregon. She often spends her free time going on nature walks with her dog or trying new bread recipes.

Reviewed by: Meghan O'Dell, Undivided Writer and Editor

Contributor: Dr. Sarah Pelangka, Special Education Advocate, BCBA-D, and owner of KnowIEPs


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