For parents of children with special needs, navigating the educational system can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to securing the right support for your child. One of the most crucial tools available to students with disabilities is the Individualized Education Program (IEP).
At Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy (CWJR), we understand how challenging it can be to guarantee your child will have access to the services they need. That’s why we’re here to help explain the IEP process, qualifications, and how our team can advocate for your child to receive the best possible support in school.
What is an IEP?
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal document that outlines the specific special education services, supports, and goals tailored to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability. The IEP is designed to help children access the general education curriculum and make progress in school by providing accommodations, modifications, and specialized instruction.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that all children with disabilities are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). This means that schools must provide necessary services to help children succeed in the classroom alongside their peers whenever possible.
Who Qualifies for an IEP?
To qualify for an IEP, a child must meet two key criteria:
- The child has a diagnosed disability that falls under one of the 13 categories listed in IDEA, including:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Speech or Language Impairment
- Specific Learning Disability (e.g., Dyslexia, Dysgraphia)
- Intellectual Disability
- Developmental Delay
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Hearing or Vision Impairment
- Emotional Disturbance
- Other Health Impairments (OHI)
2. The disability must impact the child’s ability to learn and require special education services or accommodations to succeed in the school setting.
If a child does not meet the criteria for an IEP but still needs support, they may qualify for a 504 Plan, which provides accommodations but does not include specialized instruction.
The IEP Process: Step-by-Step
- Referral for Evaluation: A teacher, parent, doctor, or therapist can request an evaluation to determine if the child qualifies for special education services. The school has 60 days to complete the evaluation once the parent consents.
- Comprehensive Evaluation: The school conducts assessments in areas such as cognition, speech and language, motor skills, and social-emotional development to determine if the child meets IEP eligibility criteria.
- Eligibility Determination: A team of professionals, including teachers, therapists, and parents, reviews the evaluation results to determine if the child qualifies for an IEP.
- IEP Meeting & Development: If the child qualifies, the IEP team (parents, teachers, therapists, and school administrators) develops an individualized plan that outlines:
- The child’s strengths and challenges
- Specific goals and objectives
- Accommodations and modifications
- Therapy and special education services
- Implementation of Services: The school must provide all services outlined in the IEP, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavioral support if needed.
- Annual Review & Reevaluation: The IEP is reviewed annually to update goals and services. A full reevaluation occurs every three years to determine if the child still qualifies for an IEP.
How Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy Can Help Advocate for Your Child
At Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy Clinic, we specialize in therapy services for children with developmental and neurological disorders and can help you advocate for your child’s educational needs. Here are some of the ways we can help:
- Pre-IEP Support & Parent Education: We help parents understand the IEP process, their rights, and what to expect. We educate families on what services their child may qualify for based on their diagnosis. We provide guidance on how to request an IEP evaluation from the school.
- Therapy Evaluations & Documentation: Our therapists can conduct independent evaluations to provide additional insights into your child’s gross motor, fine motor, sensory, and communication skills. We provide detailed reports with data that support your child’s need for therapy services, accommodations, or modifications in the classroom.
- Advocates: We collaborate with teachers, special education staff, and school therapists to help create meaningful goals that support functional success in the classroom.
- Ensuring Your Child Gets the Right Services: If needed, we can recommend private therapy services to supplement school-based therapy for additional support.
- Advocating for Ongoing Services: If the school denies services or proposes to reduce therapy, we can guide you to an advocate who can help you appeal the decision with medical and developmental documentation. We provide written justifications that explain why therapy is necessary for functional skills, participation, and academic success.
Every child deserves access to the support they need to reach their full potential. If you’re overwhelmed by the IEP process or struggling to get your child the right services, we’re here to help! Call us today to schedule a consultation.
