What are IEP's? Indiviual Education Program

 

An IEP is an individualized education program to help children with delayed skills or other disabilities. This specialized service is for public schools only and are free of charge to families. IDEA which means Individuals with Disabilities Education Act helped in making parents of children with special needs a crucial and important part of their child's education team.  Parents and or guardians of these children with special needs can now work with educators to develop these IEP's. Which means the parents can be present during these meetings and have much input into their child's specialized education.


Children who have such disabilities need specialized plans or educational needs to thrive in the public education system.  These disabilities may include:

learning disabilities

attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD)

aspergers

autism

autism spectrum disorder

emotional disorders

cognitive challenges

hearing impairment

visual impairment

speech or language impairment

development delay

attention deficit disorder

Children with disabilities are evaluated and a plan is instituted by meetings that may include educators, parents, guidance counselors, psychologists, administrators or those instituted in specialized fields in accordance with the child's needs. The child may receive their services either in a general classroom setting or in a special educational setting, perhaps in small groups with children of similar needs.  Some children may require being taught in a special school environment, where there are fewer children per teacher so the child can receive individual attention. The teacher also may have specific credentials or licences in order to teach children with special educational needs.

Children who have certain disablities such as autism or certain levels of autism are bullied close to 50% more then children who don't have aspects of autism. A major concern for families of autisic children.

Information courtesy of KidsHealth