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This brief animated YouTube video outlines clearly what is contained in an IEP. I think this video is accessible and easy to understand which makes it suitable to show to learners who may be unsure as to what an IEP is.

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PDF: NCSE - Guidelines on the IEP Process

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PDF: NCSE - Guidelines on the IEP Process

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This comprehensive guide to IEPs was issued by the National Council for Special Education in Ireland in 2006.
It outlines the relevant EPSEN Act legislation, the roles and responsibilities involved in the facilitation of IEPs and the content required within an IEP.

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Website: A Day in Our Shoes- They say it takes a village. You've found yours.

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Website: A Day in Our Shoes- They say it takes a village. You've found yours.

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This website, ran by Lisa Lightner a Special Education Advocate, contains an abundance of resources and supports for the creation of IEPs. Lisa provides guidance to parents on their rights and responsibilities throughout the IEP process. Although her target audience are American, I think that we in Ireland can learn from the execution and importance that is associated with IEPs in other countries.

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Worried About Your Child's IEP?

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Welcome to the Don't IEP Alone | A Day in our Shoes community. We have everything you need to navigate school and life with your disabled child.

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Often with Special Educational Needs teaching comes an unnecessary amount of jargon which can be intimidating for parents, students and newly qualified professionals. Above, are some of the most common acronyms in relation to IEPs.

ALT Text: grid with acronyms and their full word forms.
ADHD- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ASD- Autism Spectrum Disorder
AT- Assistive Technology
DES- Department of Education and Skills
EPSEN- Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004
IEP- Individual Education Plan
LS/RT- Learning Support/ Resource Teacher
NCSE- National Council for Special Education
OT- Occupational Therapist
SES- Special Education Settings
SNA- Special Needs Assistant
SPLD- Specific Learning Difficulty

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Podcast: Michelle Vazquez M.A ED. - What is an IEP?

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Podcast: Michelle Vazquez M.A ED. - What is an IEP?

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This podcast episode by Michelle Vazquez from the Stepping into Special Education Podcast centers around the topic of IEPs directed towards Special Education Teachers. However, I think anyone would benefit from this less than 15 minute introduction to IEPs.

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13. IEP 101: What Is an IEP? How an Individualized Education Plan Is Used in Special Education!

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Dáil Éireann Debate- Education (Inspection of Individual Education Plans for Children with Special Needs) Bill 2022: First Stage

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Dáil Éireann Debate- Education (Inspection of Individual Education Plans for Children with Special Needs) Bill 2022: First Stage

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The transcript of this debate in Dáil Éireann highlights the need for IEP reform in Ireland by our ministers. The EPSEN Act 2004 is under review to improve the facilitation of IEPs in Irish schools. It is imperative, that as educators we are informed on educational policies and any reform to these policies.

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Document: European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education- How to put IEPs to work in Irish Schools

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Document: European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education- How to put IEPs to work in Irish Schools

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This 'Rough Guide' to Individual Educational Planning is specifically catered to Irish Schools by the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education. I have struggled to find sufficient IEP resources catered to the Irish context and have instead found resources for other countries.
This document provides an overview of the IEP process, samples and guidance within the Irish context.

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Podcast: TILT Parenting  with Debbie Reber- What Parents Need to Know About The IEP Process with Occupational Therapist Beth Liesenfeld

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Podcast: TILT Parenting  with Debbie Reber- What Parents Need to Know About The IEP Process with Occupational Therapist Beth Liesenfeld

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This podcast, catered towards an American audience, focuses on IEP meetings and provides an insight into the perspective of an Occupational Therapist on the effects parents can have on an IEP meeting. As an OT, Beth rarely got direct communication with parents outside of the IEP meetings. She outlines how she observed that if parents are willing to ask questions, willing to educate themselves and do not simply agree with everything the professionals say- the outcome for the learner can be vastly improved. All members of the IEP team have a responsibility.

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TPP 318: What Parents Need to Know about the IEP Process, with Therapist Beth Liesenfeld

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Listen to this episode from TILT Parenting: Raising Differently Wired Kids on Spotify. If you are a parent of a neurodivergent kid with a diagnosed learning disability, you likely have had experience with Individualized Education Plans, otherwise known as IEPs.

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This image, from E-Therapy's article on 'Practical Tips for Setting IEP Goals for your SEN students' clearly outlines SMART goals in relation to an IEP, and not for business as is commonly seen.
These SMART targets are vital, in relation to an IEP, as without targets or goals the learner does not have a clear motivation for which to work towards.

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•Specific- goals should be catered to the learner's abilities.

•Measurable-progress to achieve the goals should be assessable.

•Attainable- goals should be achievable for the student.

•Realistic and Relevant- the targets should be catered to the students' future goals and be within their capacity.

•Timely – goals should be achievable within an appropriate time period, with short- and long-term targets catered accordingly.

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This document is a blank template for an IEP which I received from the NCSE website at: https://www.sess.ie/resources/individualised-planning
This template is useful to visualize the layout of an IEP and the detail of information that is required

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This image illustrates the strategies, resources, and supports that may be recommended to a learner within their IEP. Different learners will have varying educational needs, so what might work for one student may not work for another. It is important to refer to the IEP, made by the IEP team to ensure a student is provided with appropriate supports and services.

ALT Text: A wheel with 'What IEP related services support your child's learning?' in the center. Examples of supports for learning surround the wheel with clipart illustrations.

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Video: Special Education Decoded- Tips for Parents and Professionals for an IEP Meeting 

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Video: Special Education Decoded- Tips for Parents and Professionals for an IEP Meeting 

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This video by Special Education Decoded on YouTube gives helpful tips to parents who may feel daunted or ignored by the school system during an IEP meeting for their child.
I did not previously consider that an IEP meeting would raise challenges in itself but it is important to note that the goal is to achieve what is best for the learner. The IEP is collaborative, and it is the responsibility of the adults to communicate clearly to achieve the desired outcome.

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IEP Battle | Parents VS. The School System | Special Education Decoded