IEP Questions to Ask Parents
Essential questions to ask parents during IEP meetings to ensure their child receives the best possible educational support and services.
1What are your biggest concerns about your child's education and development right now?
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What are your biggest concerns about your child's education and development right now?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the parent's priorities and concerns, ensuring the IEP addresses the most important issues for the family.
2What does your child enjoy doing at home, and what activities bring them the most joy?
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What does your child enjoy doing at home, and what activities bring them the most joy?
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Why this works
Identifies the child's interests and strengths, which can be incorporated into educational goals and used to motivate learning.
3How does your child communicate their needs and wants at home?
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How does your child communicate their needs and wants at home?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the child's communication style and preferences, which is crucial for developing appropriate communication goals and supports.
4What strategies work best for your child when they're having a difficult time?
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What strategies work best for your child when they're having a difficult time?
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Why this works
Provides valuable insight into what helps the child cope and succeed, which can be incorporated into the IEP and classroom strategies.
5What are your child's biggest strengths and what do they do really well?
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What are your child's biggest strengths and what do they do really well?
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Why this works
Focuses on the child's abilities and talents, which should be highlighted and built upon in the IEP goals and services.
6What challenges does your child face at home that might affect their learning?
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What challenges does your child face at home that might affect their learning?
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Why this works
Helps you understand potential barriers to learning and ensures the IEP addresses the child's complete needs, not just school-based challenges.
7How does your child interact with siblings, friends, and other family members?
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How does your child interact with siblings, friends, and other family members?
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Why this works
Provides insight into the child's social skills and relationships, which is important for developing appropriate social goals and supports.
8What are your hopes and dreams for your child's future?
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What are your hopes and dreams for your child's future?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the family's long-term goals and ensures the IEP is working toward outcomes that matter to the family.
9What does a typical day look like for your child at home?
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What does a typical day look like for your child at home?
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Why this works
Gives you insight into the child's routine, preferences, and daily functioning, which can inform educational planning and support strategies.
10How does your child handle transitions and changes in routine?
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How does your child handle transitions and changes in routine?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the child's ability to adapt and cope with change, which is important for planning transitions and classroom management.
11What medical or health information should we know about that might affect your child's learning?
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What medical or health information should we know about that might affect your child's learning?
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Why this works
Ensures the IEP team has complete information about the child's health needs and any accommodations or supports that might be necessary.
12What support does your family need to help your child succeed?
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What support does your family need to help your child succeed?
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Why this works
Identifies family needs and ensures the IEP includes appropriate family support services and resources.
13How does your child learn best, and what teaching methods work well for them?
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How does your child learn best, and what teaching methods work well for them?
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Why this works
Provides valuable information about the child's learning style and preferences, which should guide instructional approaches and accommodations.
14What are your child's current interests and hobbies?
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What are your child's current interests and hobbies?
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Why this works
Helps you understand what motivates the child and can be used to make learning more engaging and relevant.
15How does your child handle homework and independent work at home?
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How does your child handle homework and independent work at home?
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Why this works
Provides insight into the child's ability to work independently and helps you plan appropriate homework and independent work goals.
16What communication methods work best for your child when they're upset or frustrated?
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What communication methods work best for your child when they're upset or frustrated?
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Why this works
Helps you understand how to support the child during difficult times and develop appropriate behavior intervention strategies.
17What does success look like for your child, and how will you know when they're making progress?
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What does success look like for your child, and how will you know when they're making progress?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the family's definition of success and ensures the IEP goals are meaningful and measurable to the family.
18What concerns do you have about your child's transition to the next grade or school?
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What concerns do you have about your child's transition to the next grade or school?
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Why this works
Helps you plan for future transitions and ensures the IEP addresses the child's changing needs as they progress through school.
19How can we best support you as a family in helping your child succeed?
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How can we best support you as a family in helping your child succeed?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about the family's needs and ensures the IEP includes appropriate family support and resources.
20What questions do you have about your child's education or the IEP process?
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What questions do you have about your child's education or the IEP process?
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Why this works
Ensures the parent's questions are addressed and helps you understand what information or support they need to be effective advocates for their child.
Effective IEP Collaboration with Parents
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Listen Actively and Show Empathy
Give parents your full attention and acknowledge their concerns. Show that you understand their perspective and care about their child's success.
Focus on Strengths and Possibilities
Balance discussions of challenges with recognition of the child's strengths and potential. This helps parents feel hopeful and engaged in the process.
Use Clear, Jargon-Free Language
Avoid educational jargon and explain terms clearly. Parents should understand everything discussed in the IEP meeting.
Question Sequences
The Understanding the Child Sequence
The Family Support Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Deficits
Balance discussions of challenges with recognition of strengths and potential. Parents need to feel hopeful about their child's future.
Avoid Using Too Much Jargon
Use clear, simple language that parents can understand. Educational jargon can make parents feel excluded and confused.
Don't Rush the Process
Give parents time to ask questions and express their concerns. Rushing can make them feel unheard and disengaged.