The IEP Process for Children with Autism

Steps in the IEP Process

What is an IEP?

Every child with autism has unique educational needs. In New York City, those needs are supposed to be met through an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a legally binding plan created by the school district to ensure students with disabilities receive appropriate educational services.

How is an IEP Created?

The IEP process begins with a formal evaluation by the school district to assess a child’s strengths, challenges, and developmental needs. For students with autism, the evaluation should include:

  • Cognitive and academic testing
  • Speech and language assessments
  • Occupational therapy evaluations
  • Behavioral assessments

Based on these results, an IEP team which includes parents, teachers, school staff, and specialists meets to create a tailored plan. Parents have a legal right to participate fully, challenge inadequate evaluations, and request independent assessments if needed.

What Should an IEP for Autism Address?

An effective IEP for a student with autism should be individualized and comprehensive, addressing:

  • Academic Skills: Support in reading, math, and writing at the child’s level.
  • Social and Communication Skills: Speech therapy, pragmatic language goals, and social skills training.
  • Behavioral Supports: Functional behavioral assessments (FBA) and behavior intervention plans (BIP).
  • Daily Living & Independence: Life skills, organization, and executive functioning strategies.
  • Sensory Needs: Accommodations for sensory sensitivities, such as quiet spaces or sensory breaks.

What Types of Accommodations are Offered?

Students with autism may require a wide range of services and accommodations, such as:

  • Specialized Class Placement: Integrated co-teaching (ICT) or self-contained classrooms
  • Therapies: Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling
  • Behavioral Supports: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), social skills groups, BIPs
  • Classroom Accommodations: Extended test time, modified assignments, visual supports, preferential seating
  • Assistive Technology: Communication devices, tablets, or software to support learning
  • Transportation Services: Specialized busing with aides, if necessary

How We Help Your Family

Our law firm fights for parents and students by:

  • Reviewing evaluations and IEP documents for legal compliance
  • Attending IEP meetings and advocating for appropriate services
  • Challenging inadequate or misleading school evaluations
  • Filing complaints or due process claims when schools fail to provide services
  • Securing private school placement or additional services when public schools cannot meet a child’s needs

Let Us Help Your Family

Far too often, schools fail to provide appropriate IEPs for students with autism either by denying services, cutting supports, or drafting inadequate goals.
Unfortunately, many families struggle to secure the right support, and that’s where our law firm steps in.
We represent families across NYC in IEP matters, helping parents navigate the complex process, identify issues with their child’s educational plan, and fight to ensure that schools provide the resources and accommodations every child with autism is entitled to under the law.

Protect Your Child’s Right to an Education

Your child deserves more than a generic education plan. They deserve an IEP tailored to their unique strengths and challenges. If your child with autism is not receiving the services they are entitled to, we are here to help.

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