GETTING INVOLVED IN YOUR OWN IEP MEETING

We aren't going to lie to you and say it is going to be easy. If you aren't used to standing up for yourself, it can be really hard. You should go to your IEP meeting anyway.

IT'S YOUR LIFE! A bunch of other people are meeting talking about you, what you should do, what your life should be like in the future - don't you think you should be there?

Yes, but.... (that's what everyone says....

• "Yes, but I get really nervous talking in front of people."
• "Yes, but what if I can't think what to say?"
• "Yes, but what if they get mad at me?"
• "Yes, but what if I sound stupid?"

Okay, stop right there! Here are a few ideas from other students who have done it.

1. Think a lot ahead of time about what you want to learn this year. It is a lot easier to have thought about it ahead of time than try to come up with something in the meeting.
2. Think about what you want to do when you get out of school.
3. Talk about your ideas with other people. Start with your friends and your family.
4. Even though it sounds a little silly, some people practice speaking in front of a mirror or into a tape recorder.
5. Talk to your parents about what you want decided in the IEP meeting. Ask them to go with you.
6. Talk to your teachers about what you want. This isn't always easy. It depends on how you and your teacher get along.
7. If you really don't want to talk to your teacher, you could write a note about what you want on your IEP. You can get someone to help you write it.
8. Bring someone to the meeting who will back you up. This can be your grandparent, a friend, an aunt, anyone you want to bring.