by Jessica Steele

Created on: March 17, 2009

An IEP is an Individualized Education Program designed under the Nation's Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IDEA. An IEP is required for any student receiving special education or other related services, and was designed to help ensure that all students receive the services and support they need to get a proper education. Specific diagnosis does not tend to have much bearing on what resources are available. Someone with Autism may have very different needs than a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), or Tourette's Syndrome, but there is no denying that they all have needs different from that of the "normal" student. The IEP recognizes more that a child has special needs which must be addressed, than which disability caused said need. The IEP guarantee's that a child's individual needs will be met; therefore, every child's IEP will look very different and is intended to be specific to their individual educational needs. Receiving a diagnosis of Autism won't so much affect which services are available, but it may affect which services you choose to utilize.

An IEP meeting is held, usually at the school. There will be a variety of people present, usually school officials, teachers, resource teachers, school counselors, occupational or speech therapists, etc. Also, you are encouraged to invite your own professional, for example, your child's therapist. Often times your child's neurologist or other doctor can be present via conference calling. You will discuss areas of disadvantage, and as a team will brainstorm ways in which to circumvent or encourage particular behaviors based on your child's strengths and weaknesses. You will decide which subjects your child needs special instruction in, and what their needs are socially. You will come up with unique ways to teach certain things, and if they don't work, you will try again with a new technique next time. You will offer advice to your children's teaching staff as to which things work at home and which do not, and hopefully, they will offer advice to you as adults who have years of experience with children. It is the law that every child be offered an opportunity to get a good education, and the school is required to do all they can to ensure that this is an option for your child too.

An open line of communication with your child's teacher is necessary for success in school. Most schools will attempt to place a child with a specific teacher if they know in advance that they will be placing a special

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