A Parent’s Guide to IEP Meetings: Setting Your Child Up for Success

As both a speech-language pathologist and a parent, I know how important (and sometimes overwhelming!) IEP meetings can feel. These meetings are your chance to share your insights, hear from your child’s teachers and coordinators, and make sure everyone is on the same page to support your child’s learning and wellbeing.

Here are a few tips to help you feel confident and prepared:

1. Start with Strengths

Teachers and coordinators want to know what lights your child up. Share what your child is excited about, what worked well last year, or a strategy that kept them engaged. Beginning with strengths helps set a positive, collaborative tone.

2. Bring Notes

It’s easy to get caught up in the flow of the meeting. Jot down things you’ve noticed at home—progress, challenges, or even new interests—so you don’t forget in the moment.

3. Ask Key Questions

Some helpful ones include:

• How will my child’s progress toward IEP goals be monitored and shared with me?

• What supports will be in place day-to-day in the classroom?

• How can I reinforce these strategies at home?

• What’s the plan if my child struggles more than expected?

4. Share What Didn’t Work

Just as important as celebrating successes is flagging strategies that weren’t a good fit. This helps the team avoid repeating things that added frustration.

5. Think About Transitions

If your child has a new teacher, a new grade, or a new school, talk about how the transition will be supported. Even small routines (like having a visual schedule or extra time to settle in) can make a big difference.

6. Keep Communication Open

Ask how the school prefers to share updates—email, a communication book, or quick check-ins. Regular, small updates are often easier and more effective than waiting for the next big meeting.

Final Thought

Remember, you are the expert on your child. Teachers and coordinators bring their professional knowledge; you bring your lived experience. When you come together as a team, your child benefits most.

If you’d like support preparing for your child’s IEP meeting—whether that’s clarifying your priorities, identifying strategies that work, or putting your child’s communication needs into words—I’m here to help. Together, we can make sure your voice is heard at the table.