Inform and empower parents by passing along these special education resources, perfect for sharing during IEP meetings! 

<p><strong>You can make a profound difference in the lives of the students 
  and families you serve by sharing special education resources with parents 
  during IEP meetings! 
  </strong>
</p>

<p>
 Imagine, for a moment, you are not a special education professional with an 
 in-depth understanding of learning disabilities, the school system, exceptional 
 education, and the IEP process. 
</p>

<p>
  Instead, you are the parent of a child with a disability. You’re determined to keep 
  them safe, understand the unique ways they learn, secure the finest possible 
  education for them, and comprehend your own rights and ability to help. For 
  many parents like you, navigating the special education system can feel like 
  stepping into a 
  labyrinth of legal jargon, complex processes, and frustrating challenges. 
</p>

<p>
Now, picture a scenario where your child’s IEP team members extend a collection of 
resources tailored to meet your child’s specific needs. Equipped with information, 
you would feel 
empowered and ready to embark on the educational journey with clarity and confidence.
</p>

<h2>Special Education Resources to Provide at IEP Meetings</h2>
<p>During IEP meetings, teams cover a vast amount of information, and because 
  these meetings typically occur during the school day, they are usually fast-paced. 
  Parents must understand what the team is discussing and feel their concerns have 
  been addressed.
</p>

<p>To ensure this happens, as an IEP team member, you can consider each upcoming 
  IEP meeting and the individual student’s needs and generate a list of resources 
  most helpful to their parents. Here are several resources to get you started, 
  whether you provide printed handouts or electronic links (of course, keeping 
  language needs in mind).

</p>

<h3>Overview of Special Education Services – Resources for Parents</h3>
<p>Give parents resources to help them understand how the special education 
  system works at the national, state, district, and school levels. Consider 
  sharing the following federal and state resources (and do not forget to pass 
  along any information provided by your district and school):
</p>

<p><a href="https://sites.ed.gov/idea/parents-families/" target="_blank">U.S. Department 
of Education Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)</a>
</p>

<p>This U.S. government site has information specifically for parents and families, 
  with language needs in mind. It links to the IDEA statute and regulations, U.S. DEP 
  Office of Special Education Programs, Parent Training and Information Centers, 
  Community Parent Resource Centers, Early Learning Website, Understanding Rights 
  Under IDEA, Military-Connected Children with Disabilities, Disability Specific 
  Groups, and more.
</p>

<p>
  <a href="https://sites.ed.gov/idea/states/" target="_blank">State Special Education Organizations</a>
</p>

<p>Use this interactive map to locate your state’s Office of Special Education 
  Program (OSEP), which you can share with parents. If you’re in California, for 
  example, follow the <a href="https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/" target="_blank">
  California Department of Education</a> Special Education link 
  and include it when you share resources at the IEP meeting. The state of 
  California OSEP has various resources, including a <a href="https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/fp/" target="_blank">
  Family Involvement & Partnerships</a> page, which covers the Rights of Parents and Children, 
  Complaint Support Unit, California Autism Information Network, California 
  Organizations for Parents of Children with Disabilities, Reasons for Concern, 
  Early Start, Resources in Special Education Library, National Center for 
  Parent Information and Resources, and more. Each state will have a similar 
  collection of resources you can pass along.
</p>

<h3>Information About Individual Disabilities – Resources for Parents</h3>
<p>Provide parents with educational resources about their child’s learning 
  differences and individual needs, whether <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/occupational-therapy-approaches-for-students-with-autism" target="_blank">autism</a>, 
  <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/executive-functioning-and-self-regulation-strategies-for-Students-with-ADHD?" target="_blank">ADHD</a>, 
  specific learning disability such as 
  <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/school-psychologist-resources-dyslexia-sld-and-other-reading-disorders?" target="_blank">
  dyslexia</a>, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, health impairment, 
  or speech or language impairment. Here are some sites you may wish to share 
  depending on the child:
</p>

<p><a href="https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/parents-guide-autism" target="_blank">A Parent’s Guide to Autism from Autism Speaks</a>

</p>

<p>Autism Speaks is a non-profit organization that works alongside other organizations 
  and the autistic community to make extraordinary advancements for people across the 
  autism spectrum. Their toolkit for parents of children with autism has sections 
  called Response to the Diagnosis, Your Role as a Parent, Ten Things a Parent Can Do 
  to Help their Child with Autism, Building a 
  Support Network, Taking Care of Yourself, Frequently Asked Questions and more.  
</p>

<p><a href="https://ldaamerica.org/parents/" target="_blank">Parent Support and 
Resources from the Learning Disabilities Association of America</a>
</p>

<p>LDA’s Support and Resources for Parents page contains a wealth of articles such 
  as First Steps for Parents When School Problems Are Observed, Special Education 
  Terms to Know, Right to an Evaluation of a Child for Special Education Services, 
  New to LD, What to Expect When Your Child Has LD, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, 
  Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities, and Oral/Written Language Disorder and Specific 
  Reading Comprehension Deficit. It also has articles on related disorders like ADHD, 
  Dyspraxia, and Executive Functioning.  
</p>

<p><a href="https://www.parentcenterhub.org/ohi/" target="_blank">Other Health 
Impairments from the Center for Parent Information & Resources</a>
</p>

<p>This resource covers the fourteen categories of disability that fall under 
  “other health impairment” in IDEA. Articles include IDEA’s Definition of OHI, 
  Life at School, Special Help for Children, and Specific Health Impairments, 
  including ADD and ADHD, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Heart Conditions, Hemophilia, 
  Lead Poisoning, Nephritis, Rheumatic Fever, Sickle Cell Anemia, Tourette Syndrome, 
  and more. 

</p>

<h3>How IEPs Work – Resources for Parents</h3>
<p>Parents will need to know how the IEP process and IEP meetings work. 
  They will wonder what an IEP is, who writes it, what assessment means, 
  what goals and objectives are, how educators collect data, who comes to the 
  meeting and how often to expect meetings. Here is a resource catered just for 
  parents:
</p>
<ul style="list-style:none">
  <li>
    <p><a href="https://www.parentcenterhub.org/iep-overview/" target="_blank">The Short-and-Sweet 
    IEP Overview from the Center for Parent Information & Resources
    </a>
    </p>
    <p>This page, available in English and Spanish, provides a crash course on IEPs. Sections 
      include What’s the IEP’s Purpose? Who Develops the IEP? When is the IEP Developed? What is in an IEP? Can Students Be Involved in Developing Their Own IEPs? and more.</p>
    </li>
</ul>

<h3>Transitioning from School – Resources for Parents</h3>
<p>Parents of students who will soon be transitioning out of the school 
  system and into young adulthood will undoubtedly have concerns about what is next. 
  You can help educate them and alleviate their fears by sharing transition resources. 
  Consider this one:
</p>
<ul style="list-style:none;">
  <li> 
    <p><a href="https://www.naset.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Handouts/Transition_Resources_for_Parents.pdf" target="_blank">Transition Resources 
      for Parents from the National Association of Special Education Teachers</a> 
    </p>
    <p>NASET’s guide covers the ABCs of Transition with articles including Wondering 
      What Path Your Child Will Take After High School?, Doing Your Homework: Making 
      The Transition From School To Work, Supporting The Dynamic Development Of 
      Youth With Disabilities During Transition: A Guide For Families, Age Of Majority: 
      Preparing Your Child For Making Good Choices, Preparing For Employment: On The 
      Home Front, What's Self-Determination, And Why Is It Important?, Want To Know 
      More About Functional Vocational Evaluation?, Transition-Age Special Education 
      Students And SSI: What Parents Should Know, Work-Based Learning, Personal 
      Assistance Services in the Workplace, Financial Aid for Students With Disabilities 
      and much more. 
    </p>
  </li>
</ul>

<h2>Empowering Parents with Special Education Resources at IEP Meetings</h2>
<p>By sharing comprehensive resources about topics on special education, 
  specific disabilities, the IEP process, and transitioning beyond school, 
  we can empower parents with the tools they need to support their child’s 
  educational journey. As special educators, we are enthusiastic guides, supporters 
  and advocates for our students, and we can help parents also feel confident, 
  eager and excited to be part of a team devoted to helping their children thrive 
  in school and beyond.
</p>

<p>Want to find out where students and their parents need you most? 
  <strong>Explore <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/education" target="_blank">special education jobs</a> 
  with Cross Country Education.</strong>

</p>

Special Education Resources to Share with Parents at IEP Meetings