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Workshop helps parents with education plans

If you are a parent of a school-age child with special needs, October is the time your child's school should be developing an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

If you are a parent of a school-age child with special needs, October is the time your child's school should be developing an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

The plan is designed to support your child's education to help your child reach their educational goals. But knowing what to look for in a good IEP can be confusing for a parent.

To help inform and empower families, Reach Child and Youth Development Society is providing parents who have children ages five to 18 with a workshop designed to demystify the IEP.

Reach consultant Pam Collins has been presenting the workshop to parents for several years. As the parent of a teenager with autism, Collins has firsthand knowledge of the IEP experience.

"It is so important for parents to be part of their child's education and planning," says Collins.

"Collaboration leads to success. This workshop is intended to help parents open the door between themselves and the school."

In the workshop parents will learn how to have an IEP that is goal-oriented, measurable, consists of specific strategies, and reviewed regularly so it really helps to maximize their child's potential.

"We want to help parents understand in plain language what an IEP means and how they can contribute to it," says Collins. "We'll talk about what a good IEP looks like, how parents can prepare for their school IEP meeting and how to prioritize their child's educational needs."

The workshop will also offer practical handouts and provide a question and answer period.

The workshop will take place Thursday, Oct.13 from 6: 30 to 8: 30 p.m. at Reach Child and Youth Development Society, 33800-72nd St., Ladner. To register call 604-946-6622 ext. 343 or email caroly@ reachdevelopment.org.

For more information visit www.reachdevelopment.org.