New Year, New Opportunities: Why Early IEP Advocacy Matters

As the new school year approaches, you may find yourself looking more closely at your child’s IEP. For many families navigating special education, this season brings a mix of fresh starts, big hopes, and maybe lingering questions or concerns.

Whether you're walking into the school year with confidence—or feeling unsure about what lies ahead—one thing is certain: early IEP advocacy matters.

Why start now?

The beginning of the school year is a key window of opportunity. Teachers are getting to know their students, classrooms are still taking shape, and routines are just beginning to settle in. This is the ideal time to ask questions, clarify expectations, and make sure your child’s supports are being implemented as outlined in their IEP.

An IEP isn’t just paperwork. It’s a commitment. It’s a roadmap designed to give your child meaningful access to a free and appropriate education (FAPE)—and that roadmap should be followed from day one.

Most teachers want to get it right—

After nearly two decades working in special education, I can tell you this: most educators genuinely care. They want to support students with IEPs and often go above and beyond to make that happen.

But the reality is:

• Some may not have received proper training

• Some may not fully understand your child’s needs

• Some may unintentionally overlook details in a very full caseload

That’s where your voice becomes essential. Advocacy isn’t about being confrontational, it’s about staying involved, asking questions, and building bridges of communication between home and school.

What IEP advocacy looks like early in the year

Here are a few proactive steps to take in the first weeks of school:

• Review the IEP: Are the goals, accommodations, and services still aligned with your child’s current needs?

• Introduce yourself to the team: A short email or meeting can go a long way in opening communication.

• Ask about implementation: How are accommodations being delivered? Are services scheduled? Is data being collected?

• Stay organized: Keep a folder with your child’s IEP, meeting notes, and emails.

The earlier you address concerns, the easier it is to prevent small gaps from turning into big frustrations.

Join the parent IEP support group

You don’t have to walk this road alone.

Intent to Include has a private Facebook group just for parents of children with IEPs, and I’d love for you to be part of it.

In this group, we:

• Talk about monthly topics that align with the school calendar

• Share tools, strategies, and encouragement

• Learn how to advocate with clarity and confidence

• Celebrate wins and troubleshoot hard moments

Click here to join the IEP + SPED Parent Support Group

(Just for parents. Always free. Always encouraging.)

Grab the FREE August IEP checklist

To help you kick off the school year with confidence, I’ve created a free checklist that walks through what to review and prepare in August.

This quick guide covers:

• IEP goal & accommodation review

• Questions to ask your child’s teacher or case manager

• Organization tips for meetings and paperwork

• Simple ways to begin teaching your child self-advocacy

Download the free August IEP Checklist

It’s short, practical, and built to give you peace of mind as school starts.

You know your child best.

And while schools may have systems and supports in place, they aren’t perfect, and that’s why you matter so much in this process.

Early, informed advocacy sets the tone for the rest of the year. Whether you’ve been on this path for a while or you’re just starting out—there’s a place for you here. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Let’s start this school year supported, informed, and ready to advocate together with kindness and confidence.

-Lynsie