As Master IEP Coaches®, special education advocates, parents, and professionals, we’re always looking for innovative ways to support children and ensure they receive the IEP services they need most. Today, I want to share two powerful strategies that emerged from our recent Master IEP Coach® Mentorship session. These approaches demonstrate how thinking outside the box can lead to more effective solutions for our children with IEPs.

Strategy 1: Prioritizing Services Over Transition Skills

One of our experienced Master IEP Coaches® shared a success story that challenges the traditional approach to handling transition difficulties. Here’s the situation:

• A student was struggling to transition out of the classroom to receive services like speech therapy and occupational therapy.

• The typical response would be to focus on teaching the student transition skills.

• Instead, the team collaborated to find a more effective solution.

The Innovative Approach: Rather than insisting on immediately teaching transition skills, the parents, their Master IEP Coach®, and the school team decided to prioritize the immediate delivery of services. They agreed to implement push-in services, where providers come into the classroom to work with the student.

Key Takeaway: Always consider the highest priority in any given IEP situation. Sometimes, we need to challenge the status quo and find creative solutions that directly address the most pressing needs of our students.

Strategy 2: Leveraging Assistive Technology for Mobility Challenges

Another Master IEP Coach® encountered a situation where a school requested that parents purchase a wheelchair for a student with mobility challenges. This scenario highlights the importance of understanding the breadth of assistive technology and the school’s responsibilities.

The Situation:

• The student had mobility challenges but didn’t use a wheelchair at home.

• The school wanted the parents to purchase a wheelchair for use on campus.

The Innovative Approach: Instead of placing the burden on the family, the Master IEP Coach® recognized this as an assistive technology issue. Assistive technology isn’t limited to high-tech devices; it includes any tool or equipment that helps a child access their education.

Key Takeaway: Assistive Technology inside of an IEP can range from simple tools like Velcro for picture schedules to more complex equipment like wheelchairs. When a device is necessary for a student to access their education, it’s almost always the school’s responsibility to provide it through the assistive technology process. We are always stretching the boundaries of Assistive Technology in our Master IEP Coach® community!

The Human Factor in Special Education

While we leverage technology and legal knowledge in our field as Master IEP Coaches®, it’s crucial to remember the human factor in special education. Every situation is unique, and what works for one student may not work for another. As Master IEP Coaches®, advocates, and educators, we must:

• Think creatively about solutions

• Focus on priorities rather than just following established patterns

• Understand the full scope of resources available, including assistive technology

• Collaborate effectively with all team members

By keeping these principles in mind, we can create more effective IEPs that truly prepare our students for further education, employment, and independent living.

Remember, the Master IEP Coach® strategies shared here may not apply to every IEP situation. Always consider the specific details of each situation.

If you’re interested in learning more IEP strategies like these and becoming part of a supportive community of special education advocates, teachers, parents, admins, and therapists, your next step is the Master IEP Coach® Mentorship program.