• Talk about the benefits, data, and possibilities of the student-led IEP process.
• Establish ‘buy-in’ to implement the student-led IEP process with the student.

Provide examples and ways for the student to be involved : interview, poster, collage, video, slides, essay and how can this fit in the IEP process about them.

Talk about the IEP process.

• Why do they have an IEP?
• What is the purpose of an IEP?
• What are the timelines/due dates of an IEP?
• What should an IEP do for them?
• What do people talk about in the IEP?

Look at the IEP paperwork and explain what is in each section.

Introduce the IEP Team.

• Go over the names and faces of everyone on the IEP team.

Come up with ideas of how to become involved in the IEP process.

• What parts of the IEP process do they want to learn more about?
• Is there something they would like to try to do in your IEP process?
• What can they do, show, say, or create to express your thoughts?
• Ask for help to practice the best way to share these thoughts with the IEP team.

Create a plan to get it done

• Schedule time with a teacher to get started and practice.
• Schedule your own time to work on it and gather information.

• Talk about how the student can show they need a break in the IEP meeting and how long they want to stay in the meeting.
• Review the supports that are listed in the IEP so the student knows what they are and how to use them when they need them.

Make a plan to help the student keep track of their IEP goals.

• How are they getting and understanding the information about your goals?
• What are the steps to reach the goals?
• Where is the student now and where do they want to be?
• When will the student look at this information and talk about the plan to reach their goals?
• What do they need to do next to get closer to their goal?

• Discuss what the student wants to do for next year’s IEP process and meeting.