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as his mom, that this is what he needed so I did everything I could to learn every aspect of this process and every "in" which would enable me to find help for my child. Looking back on this experience I cannot recommend any more strongly that you decide to become your child's best cheerleader and do everything in your power to get what is best for your child. No one has more of a vested interest in your child than you.

Now that you have been told your child is "eligible" you will be setting another appointment to write this IEP. Get used to all the appointments - they seem to happen a LOT! If you are employed, you may want to take your boss aside and explain the situation briefly, stating that you have been involved in getting help for your child and that there may be necessary meetings you will have to attend. Things will settle down eventually but if there is an expectation that you may be AWOL from time to time, there will be understanding for the reason why. If your child has been found "not eligible", please know you have the right to appeal and further testing/evaluations. See your local school for details.

Like the Section 504 Plan, it is important to consider all possible accommodations which may apply to your child. There are many more accommodations available in an IEP than a 504, so be sure to ask your local school for a list.

Once you have a chance to sit and write the IEP, be diligent in seeing that it is followed. Some schools switch classrooms for math, for example. When your child goes to another teacher for math or any other subject, be sure to communicate to this additional teacher that your child has an IEP, and to perhaps highlight necessary accommodations which have been outlined in the IEP. Don't assume that the news of the IEP will get to all teachers involved. I have talked to many parents who have complained of this situation. I have faced this issue myself as well. Also, be sure to chat with the PE teacher, the art teacher, or anyone else your child may come into contact with each school year. Let them know of your student's needs and necessary accommodations. It isn't your responsibility, but you will be avoiding a lot of possible problems if you do.

Over time, depending on your child's situation, you may find the success of your child takes an excruciating amount of effort from you. In the end you will be happy you worked so hard for him because you will see great strides in your child's progress. You will see your child get off the bus and smile and wave and skip up to you, rather than step off the bus, connect eyes with you trying desperately to hold it together and not cry in front of his friends until he has a chance to slump into your arms, sobbing about his horrible day. He will again look at you the way a baby looks at his mommy - with love in his eyes, asking you to care for him and love him and hug him, because he will be happy and life will be good. Everything will be ok.

Learn more about this author, Lori O'Day.
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