IEP Follow-Up
Q:
"With close monitoring, my 11-year-old has gotten A's and B's in the past, but his teachers this year aren't very cooperative. They don't follow his IEP and don't return my calls. What can I do?" 
A:
The school system should be meeting your son's needs better than they are, especially if he has an IEP. An IEP should be reviewed at least twice a year - at the beginning of the school year to set goals and plan for accommodations, and again at the end of the year to see that the goals have been met. You have the right to request an IEP meeting anytime during the school year to address what is or isn't being done for your son. You shouldn't sign off on the IEP unless you are completely satisfied with the plan. Contact CHADD to see if there is a parent advocate in your area who can attend an IEP meeting with you. A parent advocate can tell you what requests you can make of the school and what the school must do to comply with IDEA.
Karen Sunderhaft has been a teacher for 16 years, and has focused on ADHD and learning disabilities since 1999. She completed her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Philosophy at Boston College and a special education degree with a concentration in learning disabilities at Northern Michigan University.
Over the years, Karen has taught at prominent private schools such as Laurel School and University School in Shaker Heights, Ohio and Tower Hill School in Wilmington, Delaware. For four years, Karen Sunderhaft was one of only two teachers asked to be part of the national ADHD Experts on Call campaign. Karen is currently working on an interactive program with an ADHD simulation to assist teachers, parents, and students. She coaches individual students and speaks frequently at ADHD and LD events. She can be reached at karen@sunderhaft.com.
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