#71 Why You Left That IEP Meeting Feeling Like You Got Played And How to Never Let It Happen Again
You know that sinking feeling in your stomach when you walk out of an IEP meeting, drive home, and realize you aren't actually sure what you just agreed to? You aren't imagining it, you aren’t being paranoid, and you definitely aren’t alone. For years, I’ve watched smart, capable parents get talked into "waiting" or backing down. Why? It’s because the system has a very specific playbook designed to protect their budget and their schedule and not necessarily your child’s needs.
Today, I’m exposing the hidden language and tactics used in those meeting rooms. We’re talking about how to spot goals that sound professional but measure absolutely nothing, what to do when your advocacy is labeled as "anxiety," and why the phrase "let’s see how they respond" is often just a delay tactic dressed up as thoroughness.
Trust me, once you see these plays, you can’t unsee them and that is the moment you stop being reactive and start being the strategic advocate your child deserves.
Would you like to understand reports, ask the right questions, and get schools to take you seriously? Together Through Dyslexia 6-month program provides expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers, and you can claim your spot now at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/together-through-dyslexia!
My mini-course, From Lost to Empowered: How to Get Your Struggling Reader: The 3-Step Evaluation Request Blueprint for Parents of Struggling Readers, is available now! This 3-step evaluation request blueprint walks you through everything you need to know, from documenting concerns with the right details to writing the evaluation request letter with language that triggers legal timelines, to handling what to do when schools try to push you off, and so much more. You can break through the barriers NOW and get instant access at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/from-lost-to-empowered.
Topics Covered:
- Why you aren't being paranoid or demanding for asking for the specific interventions your child actually needs [1:52]
- How to spot professional terminology that hides a complete lack of meaningful data or growth targets [3:38]
- What to do when the school team tries to make you feel like you're overreacting just to avoid addressing your legitimate concerns [4:25]
- Why waiting another grading period for in-class interventions is often just a delay tactic the system uses [5:09]
- A reminder that you should never feel forced to sign paperwork just because the team has "another meeting" to get to [5:58]
- How walking into an IEP meeting recognizing the "plays" before they’re run changes your entire strategy as an advocate [7:29]
Key Takeaways:
- If you leave a meeting feeling confused or second-guessing yourself, it’s because the system’s "playbook" is working as intended.
- Just because a goal sounds professional doesn't mean it's effective. If it doesn't have a clear baseline and target, it measures nothing.
- You are never required to sign paperwork under time pressure. Taking that paperwork home to process it is one of the strongest strategic moves you can make.
When you're ready to work with me, here are 3 ways I can help you:
Claim your spot now to Together Through Dyslexia, my 6-month program providing expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers!
Subscribe to my Podcast Literacy Untangled Podcast for bimonthly episodes on navigating the dyslexia journey with your kid.
Want 1:1 help from an Orton-Gillingham expert? Book a call to see how I help kids who are struggling to learn how to read.
Have a question or want a certain topic covered? Send an email to [email protected] or a DM on Instagram.
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