SolveYourProblem eLearning Series: Learning Disabilities
The Bottom Line On Learning Disabilities
( 50 articles in this series )

Can an Individualized Educational Program Help Learning Disabled Children?
   

The IEP, or the Individualized Educational Program, is a contract that makes sure that all children who are disabled no matter how severe would get free appropriate public education. This will be provided at the expense of the government, even if there has to be adaptations and services provided for your child. This is a requirement called for all schools from elementary up to high school. The law also provides each disabled child to an individualized education program or IEP. It is a written statement that is developed, reviewed as necessary, and revised when needed. It is the contract that tells what services and programs the child is eligible for and how and when they will be implemented. The IEP will include all related services needed for the child. These include any transportation, corrective equipment, and other supportive devices to help the child be at their best. Once your child has been deemed eligible as a result of a learning disability, you have the right to an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). This must go into an effect no later than 30 days after your child was deemed eligible. This is a legal contract with the school that will make sure your child receives all the assistance he or she needs to get an appropriate education. These services are free to the parents and students under the IDEA law.

You can ask for an IEP meeting anytime you wish to discuss any new developments or revisions, as long as the times are good with both you and the school staff that must be present. You should have a statement of your child’s current performance in the plan, as well as how long the services will continue. The school’s goals and how they plan to accomplish them with your child should also be in there. Have anticipated evaluation times also set in the IEP, so you know when you will be due for evaluation. For those students who are over 16 years old, you have the right to transitional services that will enable your child to progress to the real world after school has ended. The school is responsible for providing these services and finding new alternatives if other agencies fail to provide. You should have all the services and assisted technology required at no cost as written in the IEP. This can include speech and language therapy, transportation, and any other types of therapy and equipment needed to help your child succeed.

Other services that can and will be included, if needed, at no cost to the family are speech-language pathology and audiology services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, social work services, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services that may help a child learn better and have an early diagnosis. These plans force the school to help a child no matter what the cost to get a proper education. Once the diagnosis has been made, the school cannot tell you that they will not help. Every child has the right to a public education that is appropriate to help that individual continue in society. The government, at no cost, will provide anything that a child requires to learn in the classroom. These belongings will stay in the school, but be available to your child as needed.

You want to make sure that all your child’s records and statements concerning their disorder are noted in the IEP. This will give a legal notice to what is expected and provided to the student at anytime during the school hours. It will also provide you with your rights and responsibilities as a parent. Make sure that you can request an update at any time and have your child re-evaluated as needed when you request. You must put all your expectations in this document and get a copy. This will give you control over what type of services and progress your child can make. You will be able to see if the goals are being met with in the allotted time frame specified in the IEP agreement. This is not designed to make a child conform to a classroom, but to make a classroom conform to a student. Make sure that the teacher understands what is expected of him or her during your child’s progression. Also know what is expected of you as the parent. You must do your part to ensure that the IEP remains in place as well as the school.

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by SolveYourProblem.com : 2006

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