Preparing for Kindergarten with an IEP: Our Experience

The transition to kindergarten can feel overwhelming for any parent—but when your child has epilepsy, special needs, and a complex medical history, it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders as you are preparing for them to kick off their elementary school phase.In this episode, I’m sharing our personal journey navigating the transition from preschool to kindergarten just 1 year after our daughter’s hemispherectomy surgery. From IEP meetings and difficult recommendations to advocating for what we knew was best for her, this experience stretched us, challenged us, and ultimately empowered us. In This Episode, We Talk About:What the transition to kindergarten looked like after brain surgery while still having seizures in the pictureThe emotional weight of IEP meetings and placement decisionsWhy reading your child’s IEP line by line matters more than you thinkCommon things to question in an IEP (goals, data, accommodations, accuracy)Our experience being recommended for a self-contained classroom—and why we pushed back How hiring a special education advocate was a game changerWhat advocacy really looks like in the moment (even when it’s hard)The moment everything shifted—and our daughter got her chance in general educationKey Takeaways:You are a critical part of your child’s IEP team—your voice mattersDon’t be afraid to question anything that doesn’t feel clear, accurate, or appropriatePreparation is powerful—go into meetings informed and organizedIf something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to speak up and advocateSupport exists—advocates can make a meaningful differenceYour child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and be seen for who they are as a humanResources MentionedPediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance website: https://epilepsysurgeryalliance.orgSearch: “IEPs After Epilepsy Surgery” under the Resources tab for tons of helpful guidance.Connect with me: If this episode was resourceful, please share it with another parent who might benefit from hearing this information!   You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.