19 Warning Signs That Your Child’s IEP May Need a Makeover
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is designed to support your child’s unique learning needs, but even the best plans require regular updates. A child’s growth, changing academic expectations, or unmet goals can all signal that their IEP isn’t serving them as well as it should.
Parents play a crucial role in recognizing these signs. Here are 19 clues that indicate it might be time to sit down with the IEP team and make some adjustments to better support your child’s success.
Your Child’s Grades Are Declining
If your child’s performance in school is slipping, their IEP might not be addressing their needs effectively. Grades can signal gaps in support or outdated strategies.
Goals Haven’t Been Met for Several Progress Reviews
IEP goals are designed to be measurable and achievable. If your child consistently struggles to meet these benchmarks, it’s time to reassess.
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They Complain About Feeling Overwhelmed
If your child frequently mentions that their workload is too much or they don’t understand their assignments, their accommodations may need revising.
New Challenges Have Emerged
As children grow, their needs evolve. A previously unnoticed difficulty, such as sensory issues or executive functioning struggles, might require new interventions.
Behavioral Issues Are Increasing
If your child is acting out more often at school, it could be a sign their IEP isn’t addressing their emotional or social needs adequately.
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Their Confidence Is Plummeting
A drop in self-esteem can indicate frustration with unmet needs. They might feel unsupported or incapable in the current academic setup.
Teachers Report That Accommodations Aren’t Working
Feedback from teachers is invaluable. If they mention that certain supports aren’t helping or that your child is still struggling, it’s worth revisiting the plan.
The Current Plan Feels Too Generic
If the IEP lacks specificity or feels like a one-size-fits-all approach, it’s likely not tailored enough to your child’s individual strengths and challenges.
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They Are Reaching Plateaus in Progress
If your child was making strides but has suddenly stopped improving, their goals and strategies might need to be revised to re-spark growth.
You’ve Noticed a Mismatch Between Needs and Supports
Sometimes, a child’s needs evolve faster than their IEP. For example, accommodations for reading struggles might no longer suffice if writing difficulties emerge.
They Are Avoiding School or Certain Classes
Reluctance to attend school can indicate that academic or emotional challenges are not being adequately addressed in the IEP.
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The Plan Doesn’t Address Social Skills
Academic goals are crucial, but so are social skills. If your child struggles with peer interactions and it’s not part of their IEP, this is a red flag.
Progress Monitoring Is Vague or Inconsistent
If the school cannot clearly explain how progress is being tracked, it may mean the IEP goals or measurement strategies need adjusting.
Services Are Not Being Fully Delivered
If you discover that promised therapies or accommodations aren’t consistently provided, it’s time to demand accountability and revisit the IEP.
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They Show Signs of Burnout
If your child frequently feels tired, stressed, or unmotivated, the workload or teaching methods may not align with their abilities and needs.
Communication Between Team Members Is Lacking
An effective IEP requires strong collaboration. If the team isn’t on the same page, misunderstandings can lead to gaps in support.
Testing Results Are Outdated
IEPs should be based on current evaluations. If your child hasn’t been reassessed in years, the plan may no longer reflect their true needs.
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Their Strengths Are Overlooked
IEPs should build on a child’s strengths, not just focus on deficits. If the plan doesn’t leverage their abilities, it’s missing opportunities to help them thrive.
You Feel Like You’re Not Being Heard
As a parent, you know your child best. If your concerns are dismissed or ignored during meetings, it’s a sign the IEP process needs more collaboration and input.
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