Family & Friends

IEP Review

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) should be a help! The mandated purpose is to ensure that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living.

 

The IEP is both a document and a process. Often, parents and guardians find themselves stressed by nagging questions:

Is my child's IEP doing what it should?
What does all this confusing language actually mean?
How does this volume of paper really help my child?

You don’t have to do this by yourself. Help is just a click away through AANE Child and Teen Services IEP Review. We have the personal and professional expertise to guide you through the IEP process, reduce your stress and concern, and help you feel confident about your child's IEP.

The IEP Review Program is a two hour IEP review.

  1. Hour one: a Child and Teen Services parent coach examines the IEP and other relevant documents.
  2. Hour two: parents meet with the coach (in-person, by phone or with Skype) and together review the program line by line.

Once the IEP Review Program request is received, the coach contacts the parents to discuss all the key documents to provide for review.

The IEP Review Program can be complemented with Parent Coaching hours for additional coaching and strategizing about your role on the IEP team. Take the next step. Click here and select “IEP Review” to arrange an appointment. For questions, please email nancy.parker@aane.org.

“I consider myself savvy about forms and process but when I received the IEP from the school I was overwhelmed. The IEP Review Program gave me the understanding and confidence to participate as a full partner in the team and get the best outcome for my child.”

“My child has had an IEP for years. When this year’s review came up I called for help. I wanted to be sure that we were doing the best for our child.”

Financial Assistance

We recognize that cost can be an obstacle for some families. AANE is very honored to have been awarded grants from the Cummings Foundation in support of Parent Coaching in Middlesex, Suffolk, and Essex counties in Massachusetts, and a John W. Alden Trust grant for transition to adulthood related parent coaching and IEP Reviews in Eastern MA for families needing financial assistance.

Please email Janeka.Melanson@aane.org for more information about financial assistance for parent coaching and IEP reviews.

Amanda Bailey is a Family Support Specialist at AANE and a COPAA and PTI trained educational advocate experienced with IEPs, 504s, post-secondary transition planning, and helping families work with their school districts. The neurodivergent parent of two autistic children, she has a warm, grounded approach when helping people with new diagnoses and figuring out what comes next. Amanda assists caregivers through support groups, parent coaching, and IEP reviews.

Jenna O'Donnell, B.S., is an autistic adult, parent of an autistic son, and a special education advocate. Her lived personal experience as an autistic adult and mom led her to find success and meaningful work in educating staff and administrators about autism and its educational impact. Jenna is a graduate of the Mass Families Leadership Series (formerly MFOFC) and completed advocacy training with both Wrightslaw and Parent Consultant Training Institute of the Federation of Children with Special Needs. Jenna did not receive her autism diagnosis until much later in life and in turn, facilitates groups for women who are new to their diagnosis. In addition, she is available for IEP reviews and can be found leading AS 101 and AS 102 workshops.

Girl in a jacket

Maggie Bowlby, M.Ed, is a Senior Manager of Individual & Family Services at AANE and has worked at AANE since 2020. Prior to joining the AANE Staff, Maggie spent 8 years as a Special Educator in Massachusetts. She is passionate about using her knowledge of the IEP process from the other side of the table to empower parents in an IEP setting. Maggie can answer your questions, explain the content of the IEP or test results, and help you know what to say to advocate for your child's needs.