What is an IEP, and why is it important?
IEP which stands for Individualized Education Program is a legally binding document that outlines a set of specific educational needs that a student has, and is given to the school in order for that student to receive the proper treatment that will help them succeed.
IEPs are highly important because they provide personalized support for students with disabilities or disorders that may affect how they learn. IEPs focus on helping a child make progress in their education, even if their needs are different than everyone else’s. Students with IEPs can get extra time on work, testing accommodations, and many other forms of assistance that help them keep up with other students who may learn differently. It’s important to have an IEP if the student needs it because it creates an opportunity for teachers, parents and students to work together to improve education results with any disability.
The student with an IEP gets evaluated once a year to see if they are still eligible for an IEP or a 504 plan. Kids meet with their parents and have a conference with their social worker and two of their teachers to go over the students’ performance in class. This meeting shows if the student needs to be put in a new classroom setting and that can help the student become more successful. IEPs are extremely beneficial to students who are identified as having one or more of 13 specific disabilities including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or emotional disturbances that affect their ability to learn in a general education classroom.
Every student learns differently. Students learn at their own pace and in their own way. Some students learn visually with pictures and videos while others prefer hands-on activities. As someone with a learning disability, I prefer hands-on activities. Most kids with learning disabilities learn using the hands on method.
Without IEP classes students won’t be able to have the accommodations that they need including providing extra time on tests, sitting near the teacher, using calculators, having audiobooks and having one on one time with the teacher. Having these accommodations were super helpful for me. I’ve had a learning disability since 3rd grade and without these accommodations I don’t know where I would be.
Successful Strategies For Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities
- Breaking learning into smaller steps
- Using diagrams, graphics and pictures to augment what they say in words
- Make practice sheets for students to follow along with
- Supply feedback
If you want to see success with students with learning disabilities the teacher should focus on individual learning. The setting of the classroom makes a huge difference on a student’s learning. Classrooms with smaller settings and comforting teachers help students with learning disabilities focus better.
Having an IEP has a lot of benefits like Individualized support, legal protections, access to special services like Speech/language therapy, Occupational or physical therapy, Specialized reading/math instruction, Counseling or behavioral support. An IEP helps students prepare for life after high school. The good thing about having an IEP in your school career is it follows you to college, trade school or wherever you chose to go to school.
Who needs an IEP?
Students who have ADHD, Autism, cognitive challenges, developmental delays, emotional disorders, Hearing problems, learning problems, physical disabilities, speech and language impairment, Vision problems.
An IEP is more than just a document, it’s a roadmap for success that helps ensure students with disabilities receive the education and support they’re entitled to.
