Setting up your child’s IEP notebook
Staying organized is key in taming the chaos that often comes with having a special needs child. There are documents that you have to maintain and having those available at all times is a necessary tool. Today I am sharing how to set up your child’s IEP (Individual Education Plan) notebook.
Once a special need has been diagnosed, regardless of the specifics it is important for you to stay organized with all the documentation that goes along with such diagnosis.
Today I am sharing an important tool, setting up your child’s IEP notebook.
This will keep you organized so that you can stay on top of important paperwork and have them available at a moments notice if needed.
I am sharing what you need to include in the set up of this notebook.
This notebook (or several) will go with you and your child all through their school years and after.
Do not worry if your child is not yet in school.
You can begin using this notebook to retain medical reports and testing information that you will need to reference once your child is in school.
What to include in your IEP Notebook
- A copy of your child’s birth certificate
- A narrative about your child, explanation of who he or she is and include a photo
- Contact information for every person and agency involved with your child
- Medical information and diagnosis reports
- Treatment plans
- IEP’s and/or 504 plans
- All communications from your child’s school in reference to questions, concerns and grades
- Community resources, brochures and phone numbers
How to set up an IEP notebook
- Organize by school year rather than category
- Write the date on the bottom right corner on all papers
- Start at the back of the notebook working forward having the most recent paperwork at the front
Forms for logging information and contacts in your IEP notebook
Use a smaller size three ring binder so that you are not carrying around an overwhelming amount of paperwork.
Once each notebook is full, start a new one. You should be able to have a few years in one notebook depending on your particular child’s documentation.
I have included three printables that you can add to your IEP notebook.
With these forms and the information that needs to be included in your child’s notebook you will be organized and have your important documents readily available.
Your journey is just beginning and having things such as this will empower you to be the best advocate for your child.
Here are some important resources for newly diagnosed families as well.
If you have any questions or need any help implementing your child’s IEP notebook please contact me and I will do what I can to help.
Till next time
Xoxo
Sonya
It’s so important to be organized when your child has a special need at school. Having all of the documents in one place is a great tip and I’ll bet that many parents wouldn’t think to do this.
Hi Paula, you are right is it often over looked but very important. It took me a while to get that down but after having my own special needs child and serving as a Surrogate parent for foster children with IEP’s it became second nature.