Writing Your Iep

Writing Your IEP

1. You'll need several sheets of clean paper, and a pencil or pen. (If you like using a computer, that's fine, too. So is a tape recorder! You can also have a friend take notes for you.)

2. Start by describing your disability.

What is your disability called?

 How does your disability affect you in school and at home? (For example, what things in school are harder because of your disability?)

 What do you think is important for others to know about your disability?

 If your aren't sure what to say, think about what the students on the tape had to say. How did they describe their disabilities?

3. Look at your old IEP goal and objectives. Do you think you have met those goals and objectives? (This means you can do the things listed there.) Put a check next to the goals and objectives you have met.

4. What goals or objectives have you not met? Write these down on paper. They may be important to include in your new IEP.

5. What are your strengths and needs in each class or subject? Make a list. This can be hard to do. Here are some suggestions to help you:

 Start with clean sheets of paper. Title one sheet "Strengths" and another sheet "Needs."

 Ask yourself the questions between the lines below (called Ask yourself). These can help you think about your Strengths and Needs. Write your ideas down on your "Strengths" and "Needs" worksheets.

Hints: If you're not sure how to answer a question, look at the examples given. Also, think about what the students on the tape had to say. How did they describe their strengths and needs? What accommodations did they ask for? What did they say they needed to work on in school?

6. Show your old IEP to your parents and your teachers. Do they think you have met these goals? What gals haven't you met? Add their ideas to the list that you started in Step 4 above.