It should be in the very definition of Individualized Education Plan should be: "A written statement for every child with special needs something something that has to suck." In an effort to make them less horrific, me and some of my special needs parent-friends (see links below) have come up with ideas to make your next IEP a little bit more entertaining.
It will probably not be less horrific.
Every time someone says "with autism" correct them to "autistic" then do he reverse the next time they say "autistic."
Ask them if they've heard of the (totally made up name) theory of development and see if they lie.
When they bring up goals that your child has accomplished, pat yourself on the back and say, "good for me"
Bring notes, on the back of the notes have little ditties written so they see them when you lift up the paper. Like on Wayne's World.
http://diewithglitter.tumblr.com
Give yourself affirmations at random times. "I'm good enough. I'm smart enough..."
Insist on doing "Duck Duck Goose" around the table to decide who has to read their section first. Demand outcomes of the game written into the minutes.
Bring all of your other kids in. And other people's kids.
Hand out your own goals at the beginning of the meeting. "The Speech and Language Pathologist will bark when someone says 'IEP' 2 out of 3 times with minimal prompting" Measure goals at the end of the meeting.
Start every sentence with, "I read on the internet..."
...or "my psychiatrist says..."
Insist on Person-first language then don't use it yourself. At all.
Come in all decked out in sensory attire : weighted vest, lap pad, chewelry, and fidgets.
Bring a visual timer
Ask for the meeting to do be done with a sign language interpreter. When they ask you why, call them a racist.
Say "listening ears" whenever they're not listening to what you're saying.
See how long you can hold this face:
Every time someone speaks to you, respond with "Are you talkin' to me?" With full DiNero accent.
Insist on keeping the chair next to you empty for your friend, Penelope Paddywack, who no one else can see.
Dress like Maria, from Sound of Music. Carry an acoustic guitar.
Answer everything in the form of a question. Like Jeopardy
Bring Scooby Snacks and throw one to the person whenever you like what they said.
Rap.
Carry a tiny chihuahua and say "That's hot" whenever you agree.
At random intervals say "You bitches be crazy"
Show up with that black paint under your eyes that athletes use. So they know you're serious.
Put tape on your knuckles part way through.
Talk in third person
Script an entire episode of Spongebob.
Use puppets
Nickname everyone on the team. Use names that describe their worst physical attribute.
Answer every question with "on the advice of counsel, I refuse to answer on the grounds that I might incriminate myself"
Elbow your husband and wink knowingly (but act as if you thought you were being subtle about it and don't think they'll notice) at every other, then every third thing someone else says, shifting the pattern every so often, completely randomly. They will go nuts trying to figure out the connection between the statements you're taking issue with.
At the end, laugh your ass off and then say "Okay you guys, let's do the real one"
At impromptu moments, scream "The sky is falling!" Then cluck 3 times.
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