Next Steps

1. You or other observers (family, teachers, etc.) suspect your child has a cognitive challenge.
2. You or other observers feel this cognitive challenge affects your child’s performance in school.
3. Document warning signs. Start compiling documents that substantiate poor grades, behavior, reports, and hurt feelings that follow your child home from school.
4. Research educational advocates. This can be an old teacher, a spouse, a friend or someone more formal that is hired to help you, depending how difficult the process is and whether or not you agree with the school’s recommendation.
5. Schedule a teacher meeting. Gather all the firsthand information you can while also building important and positive relationships with teachers, new and old.
6. Request an IEP meeting/evaluation. Options for the evaluation include a school assessment or seeking an independent evaluation with a neuropsychologist or other specialist to obtain their professional opinion and establish a formal diagnosis.
7. Meet with the IEP team to review the assessment results and other information.
o Gather all your supporting documents and consider bringing your educational advocate along.
o Research and develop a list of homework and classroom accommodations you feel will work for your child. Make copies of this list for each person attending the meeting and be prepared to draft these into the IEP with the team.
o Develop detailed goals with the school team.
8. If you disagree with the team’s conclusions and recommendations, options include requesting 504 accommodations, submitting a formal written request for an independent education evaluation (IEE; if not already conducted), and requesting mediation or a due process hearing (consider hiring a professional educational advocate).
9. Summarize the results. After agreeing upon and signing the IEP plan, summarize the results in a thank you note to each school official. This not only is a nice gesture that helps build a positive relationship with the school, but also acts as a reminder to school staff.
10. Track progress towards goals. Develop a plan with teachers regarding communication throughout the school year. Track your child’s progress and request adjustments if necessary.