An IEP is the written plan a US public school must create for an eligible disabled student under IDEA, setting goals, services, accommodations and placement. To start, ask the school in writing for a special education evaluation. The free resources below cover each step, from evaluation and meetings to goals, disputes and transition.
IEP guides on WeBearish
- 504 Plan vs IEP →Which plan fits your child, and how eligibility and protections differ.
- Autism School Accommodations →Sensory, communication, executive function, testing and social supports to request.
- IEP Meeting Prep →What to bring, what to ask, and how to keep the meeting on your child.
- IEP Goals That Matter →How to judge goals and push for ones that reflect your child.
- IEP Disputes →Mediation, state complaints and due process when the school says no.
- IEP Transition Planning →Planning for life after high school, required by age 16.
- Printable IEP Checklist →A one-page checklist to bring to the meeting.
- School Rights →IDEA, FAPE, LRE, evaluation rights and discipline protections.
What is an IEP?
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan for an eligible student with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It must include the student's present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, how progress will be reported, the special education and related services the school will provide, accommodations and program modifications, and an explanation of any time the student will spend away from non-disabled classmates.
That last part is the least restrictive environment requirement: supports are tried in the regular classroom first. Parents are full members of the IEP team, and the school must give you a copy of the IEP at no cost.
How the IEP process works, step by step
- Request an evaluation in writing. Send it to the principal and the special education director. You do not need a diagnosis first.
- Give written consent. The school cannot do the initial evaluation without it.
- The evaluation. It must be done within 60 days of your consent, or your state's own timeline, and assess your child in all areas related to the suspected disability, which for autistic students often includes communication, sensory and social needs.
- Eligibility. The team decides whether your child has a qualifying disability, such as autism, and needs special education because of it.
- The first IEP meeting. It must happen within 30 days of the eligibility decision. Services start as soon as possible after that.
- Review and reevaluation. The IEP is reviewed at least once a year, and your child is reevaluated at least every three years unless you and the school agree it is not needed.
Before the meeting, read our IEP meeting prep guide. After it, if your child's goals feel generic, see IEP goals that matter.
Your legal rights under IDEA
- You can request an evaluation at any time, in writing.
- You are a member of the IEP team and must be given the chance to take part in meetings.
- You can bring an advocate or someone who knows your child to IEP meetings.
- If you disagree with the school's evaluation, you can ask for an independent educational evaluation at public expense.
- The school must give you prior written notice before it proposes or refuses a change to your child's identification, evaluation, placement or services.
- You get a copy of the IEP at no cost.
- You can revoke consent for special education services in writing, after which the school must give notice before services stop.
These rights sit inside a larger framework, including FAPE and discipline protections. See your child's school rights for the full picture.
How to request an IEP evaluation
Write a short letter or email to the principal and the special education director. Include the date, your child's name and grade, that you are requesting a full evaluation for special education under IDEA, and a few concrete examples of what you see. You do not need legal language. Keep a copy and note the date it was received.
Accommodations and supports to ask about
An IEP can include accommodations such as noise-canceling headphones, written and visual instructions, AAC in every setting, chunked assignments, extended time and a quiet testing room. It can also include related services, such as speech-language therapy or occupational therapy, and support from a paraprofessional.
We keep the full, categorized list in one place: autism school accommodations, covering sensory, communication, executive function, testing, social time and transitions.
Free IEP help and resources outside the school
- Parent Training and Information Centers. Federally funded and free for families. Find your parent center.
- Protection and Advocacy agencies. Each state has one for disability rights, listed by the National Disability Rights Network.
- Wrightslaw. Free articles on special education law and advocacy at wrightslaw.com.
- Autistic-led guidance. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network explains student rights in plain language in Your Rights in School.
- Local help by state. Our resources by state page lists agencies and organizations near you.
When the school says no
If the school refuses a request, it must give you prior written notice explaining why. From there, you have several options, from informal to formal.
- Informal resolution. Ask for a meeting with the special education director and bring your documentation.
- Mediation. Voluntary, with a trained, impartial mediator, and paid for by the state. If you reach agreement, it is put in a written, legally binding agreement.
- State complaint. Filed with your state education agency about a violation that happened within the past year.
- Due process hearing. A formal hearing before an impartial hearing officer. It is the most powerful option and the most demanding.
Our IEP disputes guide explains each option and when to bring in an advocate.
Outside the US: IPRC in Ontario
IDEA and US IEP rules apply only in the United States. In Ontario, Canada, an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) decides whether a student is identified as exceptional and what placement best meets their needs. Parents can ask the principal in writing to refer their child to an IPRC, and the request cannot be refused. Before considering a special education class, the committee must consider a regular class with appropriate special education services. Ontario schools also write IEPs, under their own rules. See the Ontario Ministry of Education's special education guide for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an IEP?
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan for an eligible student with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It lists the student's current performance, measurable annual goals, special education and related services, accommodations and modifications, and how much time the student spends outside the regular classroom. Parents are members of the team that writes it.
Do I need an autism diagnosis to request an IEP evaluation?
No. You can ask for an evaluation in writing at any time, and you do not need a medical diagnosis first. The school's evaluation decides eligibility for special education, which is a separate question from a medical diagnosis. Send the request to the principal and the special education director and keep a copy.
How long does the school have to evaluate my child?
Under federal rules, the initial evaluation must be done within 60 days of receiving your written consent, or within your state's own timeline if it sets one. If your child is found eligible, the IEP meeting must be held within 30 days of that decision. Check your state's rules for the exact count.
Can an autistic child who gets good grades qualify for an IEP?
Yes, it is possible. IDEA's Child Find rule covers children suspected of having a disability and needing special education even when they are advancing from grade to grade. Eligibility depends on whether autism affects the child's education and whether they need specially designed instruction, which can include communication, social or regulation needs, not only grades.
Where can I get free IEP help?
Every state has at least one federally funded Parent Training and Information Center that helps families with IEPs for free. Your state's Protection and Advocacy agency may also help with disability rights in school. Wrightslaw publishes free guides to special education law, and autistic-led groups such as the Autistic Self Advocacy Network explain student rights in plain language.
What is an IPRC in Ontario?
In Ontario, Canada, an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) decides whether a student is identified as exceptional and what placement best meets their needs. Parents can ask the principal in writing to refer their child to an IPRC, and the board cannot refuse. Autism is listed as a category of exceptionality. US IEP rules under IDEA do not apply in Ontario.
We are not doctors. We are advocates. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about diagnosis, treatment, or any decision regarding your health or your child's health.
Sources
- 34 CFR 300.320: Definition of individualized education program (eCFR)
- 34 CFR 300.301: Initial evaluations, 60-day timeline (eCFR)
- 34 CFR 300.323: When IEPs must be in effect (eCFR)
- 34 CFR 300.324: Development, review, and revision of IEP, annual review (eCFR)
- 34 CFR 300.303: Reevaluations (eCFR)
- 34 CFR 300.300: Parental consent, including revoking consent (eCFR)
- 34 CFR 300.321 and 300.322: IEP team and parent participation (eCFR)
- 34 CFR 300.111: Child find (eCFR)
- 34 CFR 300.502: Independent educational evaluation (eCFR)
- 34 CFR 300.503: Prior notice by the public agency (eCFR)
- 34 CFR 300.506: Mediation (eCFR)
- 34 CFR 300.153: Filing a state complaint (eCFR)
- 34 CFR 300.8: Child with a disability, including autism (eCFR)
- Ontario Ministry of Education: Special Education in Ontario, The identification and placement of exceptional students
- Ontario Ministry of Education: Special Education in Ontario, Categories of exceptionalities
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network: Your Rights in School
- Center for Parent Information and Resources: Find Your Parent Center