There is something that happens in IEP meetings that nobody talks about.

You walk in knowing your child. Knowing how your child lights up when drawing. Knowing that your child learns best when someone shows them first. Knowing that your child will try anything if they feel safe.

And you leave all of that in the car.

Because who has time for that? The team has data. They have teacher observations. They have present levels and percentages and a packed agenda.

Who are you to walk in with your child's strengths?

Stephanie asked herself that question for years.

And then she came to our free 3 sessions last month.

Here's what she said:
"I never had the courage to bring my child's strengths to the table unless they were related to things I knew we would be talking about during the IEP meeting or something that was very observable at school. I thought it all needed to be school/IEP related or the team would think I was wasting precious time.

Learning from Charmaine in her training and in conversations, I now understand that my child's strengths are just as important as whatever data or teacher observations. My child is unique and under the stress of school may not be leading with their strengths and if I don't share the strengths, no one else will think of incorporating their strengths to anything that happens at school.

I learned that sharing my child's strengths is a building block for any goal that is written and can be used to help develop their confidence in themselves and their abilities, and can be the best starting place for brainstorming ideas for including them in the teaching and learning process in ways that would not come up otherwise.

It's not just a parent bragging or trying to over-exaggerate their child's abilities, but a real way to use those strengths in coming up with creative and unconventional goals or strategies for implementing an IEP while also including things or activities that my child is already comfortable or confident doing and giving them that positive setting to shine, feel good about themselves, and receive positive reinforcement from peers.

I won't ever hesitate again to come prepared with very clear strengths and then bring those strengths beyond a 'get to know you' ice breaker, but take those strengths into meaningful ways to support my child in their education and growth.

Charmaine has done an outstanding job at teaching just how important it is to focus on a child's strengths. Thank you Charmaine!"
— Stephanie A., Parent

That is what next Thursday looks like when you join us.

Thursday, June 25 is the session where everything comes together.

Two more live IEP Mini-Audits. Two more real IEPs. We trace the thread from your child's strengths to present levels to goals, out loud, in real time, together.

And then I am going to tell you about something I have been building. The Inclusive IEP Audit™ where I sit with you and your child's IEP, and we do exactly what Stephanie described. We find where your child's strengths went. We name it. And we build a plan to bring them back.

I will share all the details on Thursday. What it includes. What it costs. And what happens when you say yes.

But you have to be there to hear it.
Not registered yet? Join us here:
 dots.iep.today/join-june

Once you register, watch your inbox on Friday, June 20 for the link to our private Facebook group, that is where all the replays, resources, and community conversation will live.

 

A week from today, parents are going to walk away from that session with a plan for their child's IEP that nobody else was going to give them.

Want to join us?

Until every child belongs,

P.S. Stephanie didn't think her child's strengths belonged at the IEP table. Now she will never walk in without them. 
Register at  dots.iep.today/join-june
and I will see you there.
 

Not interested in this training? No worries. 

Click here and I won't send you the training emails.