How to Advocate for Your Child with Autism in an IEP Meeting

Mary Barbera discusses IEP meetings and advocating for your child with Kirby Morgan and Amanda DeLuca.
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IEPs can be scary but they don’t have to be, that starts with learning how to advocate for your child. Amanda DeLuca and Kirby Morgan are autism moms and IEP consultants and coaches. They joined me today to dive into the ins and outs of IEPs and how to approach them in a way that gets the best result for your child.
What is an IEP? An IEP is a legal contract and individualized education program, designed to meet your child's unique needs specific to your child. This document should prepare them for further education, independent living and employment. An IEP applies to children ages 3-21, if you’re receiving services before your child is 3, depending on your state you might have an IFSP to start with. An IFSP, is an Individual Family Service Plan for children Birth-3. These are much more generalized and involve the family as a whole. When you have an IFSP, this directly leads itself to the creation of an IEP in the public education system.
IEPs are a critical topic for families in the public education system. Amanda and Kirby are full of so much knowledge. This episode is packed with actionable tips and information to put to use in your next meeting. From how to be an advocate in the COVID world to being confident in the IEP room, they are determined to empower families to get the best for their child.
You'll Learn:
-How to prepare for the first IEP meeting?
-What is an IEP meeting?
-What is an IFSP?
-What is an IEP plan vs. 504 plan?
-How important is a communication plan for an IEP?
-Is your home data important?
-How to stay in control during an IEP meeting?
-What can you do if you don’t agree with points on the IEP?
-Can a child with autism be suspended?
-Has the COVID-era opened new possibilities for advocacy?
If you enjoyed this video on IEP, be sure to subscribe to the channel, like this video and visit my website below. If you have more questions, leave them down in the comments section, and I will do my best to answer you. Thanks for watching today's video blog, and let's #turnautismaround together!
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Dr. Mary Barbera. I fell into the autism world as an autism mom in 1999 when her first-born son, Lucas, was diagnosed with autism. Since then, she became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and best-selling author of The Verbal Behavior Approach. Since 2015, she’s created 3 autism online courses based on applied behavior analysis for professionals and "gung-ho" parents. Whether you’re looking for autism parenting strategies, working with development delays in children, or in search of autism help for professionals, I can encourage you to subscribe to the channel and join me on my journey. I’ll be providing weekly autism resources that you don’t want to miss.

[@everlenahemingway]

One thing missing from the discussion about Autism support is parental involvement. Not just involving a child or parent in therapy, but parent and child interacting with other parents and children individually. The solution to socializing an autistic child and adult autistic child, can only take place with the parents/guardian help. When children are not socialized, its a failure on the part of the parent to connect with other parents. The budy system of parent to parent is the best way to socialize. It takes two to socialize, parent/child to parent/child. Many parents are introverted and unsocial so the child does not socialize. Parents need to plan play-dates with another child, and plan activities which they can participate in. This means getting out of their comfort zone to reach out to other parents, and socializing with other parents as well. Plan a dance, plan an activity in the park. Plan a sleep over. Social groups are needed and there is a need to coordinate and organize them, so an autistic child alone with its parent, will have peers to socialize with. It may mean exchanging cell phone numbers within a social group. This will give a social group some substance, rather than just talking.

[@TeaLaRee]

The first 2 iep meets I was on autopilot until I realized how much MORE advocating as a parent I needed to do because they really do not and are under no obligation to help you. Sign here, do bare minimum, thank you ma'am....now your child is clearly needing more supports than was afforded them. It really makes you defensive at the table because it's confusing, exhausting, and quite frankly INFURIATING because these are the most vulnerable individuals in our society, and they try not to do more than they have to. OK done ranting lol

[@marybarbera]

I understand where you're coming from. I'd love it if you joined my online course, as you will definitely feel supported and helped there. For more info, join a free workshop here: www.marybarbera.com/workshops

[@vaniatoledo4758]

We are at a new school who it not giving help my son is 16 what do we do?

[@linbron2018]

Thank you ladies for all your support, and Informative comments, information. Do you have a 2 video, perhaps a must have at the meeting and a list of what we can bring, or a list of questions to ask. Anything to help us navigate this meeting thank you.

[@teady012002]

Do you have a video going into depth on District Placement?

[@marybarbera]

I do not at this time.

[@itsybitsytosan5662]

What is IEP?

[@marybarbera]

Thanks for watching! An IEP is an individualized education plan created for eligible students.

[@itsybitsytosan5662]

@@marybarbera Thank you.

[@jenniferd5113]

This is amazing and heartbreaking for me because I have been struggling with my daughter’s school regarding the IEPs and behavioral support.

[@marybarbera]

I hope this gave you some strategies!

[@aidanavarro5892]

Hi I am so happy I found this video an I have my sons IEP closure today I did not know schools offer ABA and my kindergarten Autism is screaming for it

[@marybarbera]

I'm so glad you came across my videos. Hope it helps!!

[@sondahamudau5280]

In South Africa, an IEP is referred to as individual support plan, and is an area which needs serious attention in order to provide appropriate learning and participation strategies for learners with autism and those with barriers to learning in general.

[@NeutralKillerHD]

My son was just diagnosed with Autism at 4 about to 5 years old. He can count from 1-10, he tries singing his abcs, he learn to be potty train at 4 years old sometimes tries to clean himself but knows how to go pee flush on his own. He doesn’t cover his ears a lot, walks on tip toes. But understands my commands like come sit next to me, clean up your toys or trash, go eat at the table. He starts ABA in 2 weeks is it possible to grow out of the symptoms and be more verbal.

[@marybarbera]

That is good that he has those skills. No one has a crystal ball but ABA is usually a good fit and kids make progress. I can teach you how to help him at home in addition to aba . Sign up for a free workshop here www.marybarbera.com/workshops

[@JustYang007]

Is it true that the district doesn't need your signature to agree to the contract? Its only to say that you received and understand the iep. If that's the case why would parent's opinions matter?

[@marybarbera]

In the united states, this is not true. They need your signature as it is a legal document.

[@jennydavies776]

This is so good information at the same time is a lot to comprehend. my son is in 9th great now. I have been going to IEP meeting. listening to what you guys are saying really make me understand that I was just sitting there not understanding and unable to help my son. I don’t have any support of any kind but I know I want to know more so I can help my son in high school next year. We are in Michigan. Please we will appreciate information about a specialist in my state.

[@marybarbera]

you can google iep master coach or iep advocate ( your area) Or, go to marybarbera.com/152 and in the show notes, are links to their websites and they can help virtually.

[@janakipatel7459]

Great helping information!! Thank you for making this content !!

[@marybarbera]

Thank you so much for watching and for your support!

[@Emanu2018]

How do I know my son will be fully verbal Dr Barbara please 🙏

[@marybarbera]

There's no way to know what our children will or won't be able to do in the future, but we can teach them to reach their highest potential! If you're interested in learning how to do this, join me for a free workshop at www.marybarbera.com/workshops.

[@Emanu2018]

@@marybarbera thank 😊 🙏

[@blacksheep3096]

What is the difference in aba from speech and OCP

[@marybarbera]

Many differences. While speech has specialties and should be consulted and used. ABA breaks things down and uses reinforcement and often is used to teach the skills that the speech therapist may want to target for kids with autism. You can learn more about my aba approach and techniques at a free workshop www.marybarbera.com/workshops

[@jayflores4267]

My daughter is currently receiving ABA services for her autism and she will soon be taking an IEP test. After being observed for two months. My question is are we by law able to keep the teacher she has now while she’s in school? The school is telling me it Hass to be a teacher from their staff. Is that correct?

[@marybarbera]

Attend a free workshop: MaryBarbera.com/workshops

[@sondahamudau5280]

Wonderful presentations to share with educators in both public ordinary schools and special schools. This is amazing and would assist in understanding learners wit autism.

[@marybarbera]

Thank you and I'm so happy you found this podcast episode valuable!

[@za0384]

Hello Mary, my younger brother has become very abusive to my family and me. He has started breaking plates, hitting us, and peeing on the floor, and stealing things from us. He is fully potty trained and is 9 years old. I have had many sleepless nights and bruises from were he has hit me. Discipline seems to encourage him even more. Please, help.

[@marybarbera]

it sounds like you need to find a behavior analyst locally who can come in and help your family.

[@kristamiller8732]

In our ASD classroom it's all ABA based all day in addition to one on one

[@marybarbera]

That sounds like a great set up!

[@Hijabi_autism_adhd_mom]

This was so helpful ❤. Though I’ve been apart of helping with writing and implementing ieps for clients, it’s different for your own children. Thanks

[@marybarbera]

I'm SO happy this was helpful to you! If you're looking for more info, check out MaryBarbera.com/resources.