How can I help my child understand what’s in their IEP?

Understanding the jargon and language used in your child’s IEP helps you to be a better advocate for your child. Likewise, when your child better understands information presented about their IEP, curriculum, and any other matter, then your child can be a better advocate for themselves.

Here are ways to write in plain language in the IEP:

• Use strong verbs in the active voice (For example, “Everyone should wear a mask” instead of “Masks should be worn by everyone.”)
• Use words the audience knows
• Include the details that will help the reader complete the task
• Leave out details that don’t help or may distract readers, even if they are interesting (such as metaphors, similes, or other literary devices)
• Use headers and subheaders to organize the information
• It’s also important to note that plain language does not mean shorter; it means that ideas are described more thoroughly.

To learn more about plain language writing along with plenty of related resources, check out our article How Plain Language Writing Can Help Your Child Become a Self-Advocate.