If you think that your child may have learning differences or developmental delays that impact their performance in school, then you’ve probably considered the idea of requesting an evaluation like an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Or, the school may have contacted you requesting that you consider one for your child.
To qualify for an IEP, your child will need to meet the requirements listed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If your child meets the eligibility requirements listed under the IDEA, the school will provide a team to evaluate your child’s abilities so that they can write a learning plan.
What Is an IEP?
An IEP is a “plan” for students that struggle with learning, to help give them special education instructions, support, and resources. The main purpose of an IEP is not to help children speed up their learning, but instead to slow down the learning process so the child has a better learning experience.
The plan is developed by both the school staff and the child’s parents. The parents may also want to hire a special education advocate to help design the plan for their child. Meetings are held yearly to adjust the goals and to give parents an opportunity to give input. As well, a Triennial assessment is done to evaluate progress.
IEPs are made for eligible students in the public school system and are covered by special education law under IDEA.
Qualifications for an IEP
In order to qualify for an IEP, your child will need to meet the requirements listed by the IDEA. These qualifications require that a child must have one of the 13 categories of learning disabilities.
The 13 categories to qualify for an IEP include:
- Autism
- Deaf-Blindness
- Deafness
- Emotional Disturbance
- Hearing Impairment
- Intellectual Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairments
- Specific Learning Disability
- Speech or Language Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Visual Impairments
If your child qualifies with one or more of these categories, the school district is required to offer special education and related services, including an IEP.
Hardy Brain Training Can Help Your Child Succeed In School
Hardy Brain Training offers personalized learning programs designed to help school-age children who struggle with learning and may be falling behind in school. We often help children who already have an IEP and find that the IEP plan your children’s school developed may not be enough to help your child.
Evaluations like the IEP don’t always provide clear answers about what steps parents should take next to help their child and that’s where Hardy Brain Training can help. We work with you, your child’s school, and your child’s special education advocate to create a learning program that complements and enhances your child’s IEP goals while simultaneously working to improve cognitive and processing skills, which create a permanent foundation for learning.
Improving cognitive and processing skills will help make learning easier and more fun for your child. We provide a clear path forward with steps that parents can take to help their child in school and permanently improve learning
Contact us today to learn more about if Hardy Brain Training is a good fit for you and your child and, as an additional resource to help, we also have a free online diagnostic quiz to help identify the key areas where your child may be struggling.