Can I request to pause IEP services?

If you want to pause one or more of your child's IEP services, notify your IEP team about your reasoning. For example, if you are hiring an outside provider or you want to reduce your child's overwhelm at school, those are important things for the IEP to know.

The procedure to follow will depend on your state. For example, in California, parents must consent to IEP services, so they can withdraw consent at any time for any part of the IEP.

There is typically no timeline or limit for pausing IEP services. However, if your child does not meet their IEP goals or starts to struggle more, the school will likely say it is not their fault because the child's parents would not allow the school to implement the IEP. If you do decide to pause services, you should do this cautiously and document why with the school.