The IEP / 504 Prep Sheet

School meetings move fast and it's easy to leave wishing you'd said something. Walking in with notes turns a stressful meeting into a focused conversation. You know your child better than anyone at that table.

My child at their best

Start with strengths — it sets the tone and reminds the room who they're supporting.

My child's strengths and what helps them thrive

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

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What's working / not working

Right now

Learning

• What's working: ____________________
• What isn't: ____________________

Sensory environment

• What's working: ____________________
• What isn't: ____________________

Social / emotional

• What's working: ____________________
• What isn't: ____________________

Communication

• What's working: ____________________
• What isn't: ____________________

My priorities

You can't fix everything in one meeting. What are your top one or two asks?

My top priorities for this meeting

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Specific supports I'm requesting

Concrete and observable lands better than general. 'Movement break every 30 min' beats 'more support'.

The specific accommodations / supports I'm asking for

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Questions to ask

Questions I want answered before I leave

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

You belong at that table: You're an equal member of the team, not a guest. It's okay to ask them to slow down, repeat, or put things in writing.

Go deeper

Ready for more? These lessons pick up where this worksheet leaves off.

• School: IEPs, 504s, and Advocacy, from Parenting Autism. IEP vs 504 in plain language, how to prep for a school meeting, keeping the file, and what to do when school itself is the stressor.
• Masking, and Letting Your Child Unmask at Home, from Parenting Autism. Why your child holds it together at school and falls apart at home, and how to make home the unmasking place.
• Your Family Operating Manual, from Parenting Autism. Pull the whole course into one living family manual, with a fridge-door page and a weekly huddle.