ASSIGNMENT | Parent/Guardian Interview

Conduct an interview with a parent or guardian of a child with ASD who currently has an IEP in place and with whom you have not had previous dealings. While you interview the parent, ask the following questions:
When was your child diagnosed with ASD?
Who diagnosed your child?
When did your child start receiving special education services?
Who initiated the special education referral process?
What services does your child receive right now?
What has been your role in the IEP development and implementation?
Are you satisfied with the IEP team and the services your child has?
Does your child participate in the IEP process? If so, how? If not, why not?
Have you ever sought out mediation, an educational advocate, or due process? If so, why and what was the result?
How can special educators and general educators help parents to better understand their rights and the IEP process?
After the interview, prepare a 500-750 word essay about parental involvement in the IEP process of a student with ASD. Take a position on the role you think parents should play creating and implementing the IEP.

SAMPLE SOLUTION

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), all children in the US have a right to be accorded the most appropriate public education. The act goes further to mandate institutions to establish Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for children with autism and other disabilities (Dominick, Wink & Erickson, 2018). Every IEP is made for one child and meant to address the child’s special educational needs. The…