This presentation highlights the key takeaways discussed at the Georgia PTA Convention by Exception-ALLY. Exception-ALLY is an online tool that helps parents prepare for IEP meetings. The tool provides insights and resources for for parents with children that have Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and other learning differences.

1. Special Needs, Extraordinary Solutions
GA PTA Convention | August 4-5, 2017
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2. Overview
This document was developed in support of a workshop
at the 2017 Georgia PTA Convention Leadership Training.
Included in this document is the following…
• Tips for parents before, during, and after IEP meetings
• Suggested IEP practices from workshop attendees
• Exception-ALLY overview and limited offer
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3. TIPS: BEFORE THE MEETING
ü Conduct pre-meeting research about the IEP process on
websites like exception-ally.com, wrightslaw.com, and
understood.org.
ü Align on the agenda, objectives, and expectations of the
meeting with the school IEP team.
ü Don’t go to meeting alone (take an advocate, friend, or
family member). This person can take notes or participate
depending on their level of expertise.
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4. TIPS: DURING THE MEETING
ü Ask some of the educators from the school IEP team to
sit on your side of the table. This creates a
collaborative atmosphere.
ü Put a picture of your child on the table, which helps all
adults focus on the purpose of the meeting.
ü Don’t sign the IEP at the meeting, unless it has been
presented to you ahead of the meeting date for review.
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5. TIPS: AFTER THE MEETING
ü Read the IEP, maybe even twice, before signing it to
ensure you understand all aspects. This is a LEGAL
document.
ü Schedule meetings throughout the year to check-in on
your child’s progress under the IEP.
Ø Meetings could be scheduled according to the progress
updates agreed upon in the IEP.
Ø Check-in meetings might include only the educators
that work most closely with your child (a sub-group of
the full IEP team) to make scheduling easier. 4

6. WORKSHOP ATTENDEE SUGGESTIONS
QUESTION: What is one thing that you are happy your
school does in the IEP process?
• Use a round table for the IEP meeting, so everyone feels
like part of the team.
• Remain open and helpful in answering parent questions.
• Maintain good communication with parents during the
school year regarding achievements and goals reached.
• Allow me to have my child present in the process and
meetings, as appropriate.
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7. Exception-ALLYSM, Better Than Experts
Pre-Meeting
Preparation
• Deliver action plan
and meeting prep
Post-Meeting
Tracking
• Track student’s progress
and IEP implementation
In-Meeting
Expertise
• Provide real time access
to proprietary data
Ø Builds parents’
confidence before
meeting
Ø Makes one less
thing for parents to
worry about
Ø Puts relevant data
at parents’
fingertips
Key
Features
Key
Benefits
IEP STAGES
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8. For a limited time, receive a 30-day free trial. Just
send an email to info@growexceptionally.com with
the subject “Exception-ALLY 30-day free trial”.
For more information, visit www.Exception-ALLY.com.