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Welcome to the world of special education! It may have taken you some time to get to this point in your child’s educational journey, or the path may have been short, but either way, this is a very new experience for many. As you prepare for, or follow up on, that very first Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting, you might feel a bit overwhelmed with all the information you have received. So, what do you do now?

Take a breath and let us help! Here is an easy, practical tip that can make your journey as a special education parent a little smoother.

Organize. Get a Binder.

Special education comes with a lot of paperwork and finding a way to organize all the information can be a lifesaver. Find a binder with pockets and add sectional dividers. In this binder, with appropriate sectional dividers, place:

• Current and past IEPs
  • Next year, when you get a new IEP, you will want to be able to compare the two documents to see what has been accomplished and what still needs work.
• Copies of letters or communications
  • Saving copies of your communications with the public school, the district, doctors, or other entities can be helpful so that you have one place to house all the details you get. Save any replies you get. If the communication happens in email, either print out those emails and save them in the binder or create a folder in your email for all those communications.
• Copies of any testing or recommendations
  • Keep all documents explaining your child’s needs in one place. Your child may be working with different professionals during the year- doctors and therapists, as well as the school with teachers and support staff. When the next IEP meeting occurs, you will want to bring information and updates to help inform your IEP team.
• Brochures
  • There are lots of community resources you may encounter or hear about. Grab a brochure and keep them in your binder to refer should your child ever qualify for such services.
• A list of phone numbers and email addresses.
  • You will want contact information for all of the professionals and agencies involved in your child’s education and treatment.

When you have all your materials in one place, you will be more organized and able to provide full and accurate information about your child’s progress. As you go, and as your child grows, you may need to expand to a new binder, or organize all your information in a larger way. Give yourself the time to organize all your materials so that you’re less stressed when it really counts.

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