Research has shown that the transition from preschool to the regular school system is the most difficult educational transition for most parents to navigate. For those facing this transition with an autistic child, you face even greater hurdles – new vocabulary (IEP, IPRC, etc), new procedures, AND new rights.
Understanding the school system and preparing yourself for advocacy is your “homework.” Here’s your comprehensive guide to successfully navigating school services for your child.
Understanding the Key Terms
IPRC: Identification Placement & Review Committee
The IPRC is the 3-person group that FORMALLY identifies a student as Exceptional. The committee answers these crucial questions:
- Is the child exceptional (Yes/No)?
- If so, what category or definition (Communication, Physical, Intellectual, Behavioral or Multiple)?
- What are the student’s strengths and NEEDS?
- What type of placement meets the needs?
Important: The needs are the most important part of an IPRC and often are not discussed adequately. Currently you need an IPRC to OBLIGATE the board to implement the IEP.
IEP / ISP: Individual Education Plan / Individual Service Plan
This is a plan to address the needs identified by the IPRC. It should deal with:
- Accommodations: Changes in environment, teaching strategies, and evaluation
- Modifications: Grade level of instructional content
- Alternate Programming: Things outside the Ontario Curriculum that need to be taught (e.g., Organizational Skills, Social Skills, etc.)
An IEP should record:
- What are we trying to do?
- How will we try to do it?
- How will we know if our plan is working?
Reality Check: Most IEPs are computer-generated and generic. It takes work to get a good IEP. Don’t be afraid to take home your child’s IEP, consult with your child’s Behavioral Analyst, psychologist and SLP to come up with concrete, measurable goals that truly reflect your child’s needs and current skill set.
Lindsay’s 10 Tips for Successful School Meetings
1. Preparation is Everything
Parents often go into school meetings without very much preparation and research. In order to “force” yourself to prepare, create a written 3-4 page summary organizing YOUR plan for the meeting – and have copies for all attendees. When you have a “roadmap,” you accomplish more and stay on track!
2. Know Your Goals and Outcomes
Make sure that you KNOW what you want to accomplish in any school meeting. Too many parents go into these meetings without a goal beyond “reacting” to what the educators will tell them. Put your Goals/Outcomes in your planning summary, and organize supporting documentation under each goal. 3-4 goals per meeting is reasonable – less, rather than more, is better!
3. Know the Legislation
It’s important to have a working knowledge of the pertinent legislation and funding. “Just because the principal SAID so, doesn’t always mean that it IS so!” Much of the legislation filters down to the school level, third and fourth hand. Know what you are entitled to, and know how the dollars flow to the board and to the school. If you can demonstrate that you have some knowledge, people treat you as an equal. Build a library of Ministry documents and Association books.
4. Use Your Support Team Wisely
If you bring a community professional to a school meeting, have a specific ROLE for them to play. Part of your “plan” is to decide who needs to be there and what do you want them to share. Then make sure they know! Honestly consider “Do I need them to be physically there?” or just send a report? Get them FIRST on the agenda, so they can contribute, and then go to their next appointment.
5. Strategic Seating Plan
Never sit beside your spouse or support worker – 80% of communication is non-verbal. Be able to make eye contact or communicate with a slight nod of the head. Try to have one of your team sit beside the “power person.” Break up the “them vs. us” seating that creates a confrontational feel by interspersing around the table.
6. Never Walk Alone
School meetings can be “unintentionally intimidating” and surveys of parents say that they find school meetings among the most difficult encounters they have for their exceptional child! A lone parent often finds it difficult to advocate in a “room full of suits.” Bring a friend or neighbor to take notes and offer support. Reschedule for a time when your spouse or support team can be there.
7. Identify “Allies”
In every school meeting there is someone(s) who is listening, sending out supportive vibes, has positive body language. Identify these people and focus on them, make eye contact, ask them direct questions. These are the people that you can work with. If you create “momentum towards a solution,” others will get on board! There are ALWAYS “allies” at every school meeting – you need to identify them.
8. Reinforce Good Ideas
When someone at the meeting (school staff or your team) makes a good point that supports your position, repeat it, re-phrase it, acknowledge the importance of it. If it is reinforced in this way, it will take on greater importance! The more times it is repeated, the more established it becomes.
9. Get Key Points in the Minutes
Make sure that the note-takers and minute takers capture “important stuff.” When something important is said, ASK the note takers to write it down. Many good ideas are lost (accidental) or left out (deliberate) of the meeting summary! Your job is to make sure they are included.
10. Know When to Call It a Day
Parents should sense when it is time to “call it a day.” Bad decisions often get made when there are time pressures! Educators have kids to pick up, other meetings to attend, other places to be. When body language tells you it is time to wrap up – SUMMARIZE what we have agreement on, what has not been addressed, and when we will meet again. Industrial psychologists say that “no meeting should be more than an hour, without unanimous consent to continue” – a good rule!
Your Role as an Equal Partner
Parents must understand that they are EQUAL PARTNERS in school meetings.
This means you must:
- Act like EQUAL PARTNERS in school meetings
- Model PROFESSIONAL Behavior in school meetings
- Focus meetings on STUDENT NEEDS, not budgets, staffing, or union issues
- Follow the principle: “NEEDS before RESOURCES”
Practical Meeting Strategies
Before the Meeting
- Research the legislation and your rights
- Prepare your 3-4 page summary with clear goals
- Gather supporting documentation
- Identify who needs to attend and their specific roles
- Plan your seating strategy
During the Meeting
- Stay focused on your child’s needs
- Identify and work with allies in the room
- Reinforce good ideas when you hear them
- Ensure important points are captured in minutes
- Maintain professional behavior throughout
After the Meeting
- Review meeting minutes for accuracy
- Follow up on action items
- Schedule next meeting before leaving
- Communicate with your support team about outcomes
Working with Your Therapy Team
Don’t be afraid to collaborate with your child’s therapy team when developing school plans. Take home your child’s IEP and consult with:
- Your child’s Behavioral Analyst
- Psychologist
- Speech and Language Pathologist
- Occupational Therapist
These professionals can help you develop concrete, measurable goals that truly reflect your child’s needs and current skill set.
Remember: You Are Your Child’s Best Advocate
The school system can feel overwhelming, but remember that you know your child better than anyone else in that room. You are not just a participant in these meetings – you are an equal partner with valuable insights and the ultimate authority on your child’s needs.
Stay focused on what your child needs to be successful, come prepared with your goals and documentation, and don’t be afraid to ask for what your child deserves. With proper preparation and the right mindset, you can successfully navigate the school system and ensure your child gets the support they need to thrive.
Building Collaborative Relationships
The goal isn’t to be adversarial with the school team – it’s to build collaborative relationships focused on your child’s success. When you come prepared, professional, and focused on needs rather than limitations, you create an environment where everyone can work together effectively.
Remember: the school team wants your child to be successful too. Your job is to help them understand what that success looks like and how to achieve it.