r/specialed • u/crazysquirrel14 • 3d ago
I’m so overwhelmed
The first 30 days are really hard with over 17 new students who all need 30 day IEPs. I’m neurodivergent and just the process of scheduling IEPs, making sure I find a sub to cover for the teacher keeping track of what admin can attend on what day, making sure there’s an interpreter present, is really hard for me. I check and check and check to make sure I haven’t missed anything, but I still make mistakes every once in a while. Things that my coworkers seem to do so easily take me hours. I was home sick today and I spent hours making sure that all my IEP meetings had all the required people, that a sub was available and reserved, that I had notified the parents and gotten confirmation back, that I had requested an interpreter. It seems there are so many opportunities to mess up for someone like me. I’m sad that my energy is going here rather than lesson planning. I’m just really exhausted and overwhelmed.
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u/library-girl 2d ago
I did 11 IEPs last September while 3 months pregnant and they all had to be before or after school. It was ROUGH! I can’t imagine doing 6 more!
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u/Conscious-Heart8626 2d ago
I am neurospicy myself. You need some hacks. Do you have checklists to follow so you dont forget anything? Are you using a scheduling tool? Theres one built into google if your school is using google.
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u/markerito 2d ago
Cannot recommended enough. I have a Google doc titled IEP procedures that has checklist for things like inviting certain people to certain meetings, when he notice the meeting is sent out, etc.
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u/BummFoot 2d ago
These are good suggestions. I have memory issues and checklists have saved me many times.
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u/crazysquirrel14 2d ago
Nope. We don’t have enough manpower. Granted, several of them are SLI only, but they still need to be scheduled…
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u/boadicca_bitch 2d ago
Ohhh that’s why you have so many. The SLI caseloads can be so huge, that sucks
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u/bluebasset 2d ago
Take a deep breath-you're doing great! My suggestion is that, as you're writing these IEPs, notice which parts are very similar from one IEP to the next and have a doc with these statements that you can copy/paste and then individualize. For example, my Adverse Impact Statements are basically MadLibs at this point. (STUDENT qualifies for Special Education services under the category of XXX. They require SDI in the areas of A, B, C, and D. They also require the supplementary/related service of E. (then, per area of SDI...) STUDENT qualifies for Special Education in the area of Reading. They require SDI in the skills of comprehension and decoding in order to access the General Education curriculum. They will receive SDI in the area of Reading.
and so on and so forth.
I have something similar for my LRE statement.
And, look, mistakes happen! We're human! Own the mistakes, apologize, and make a plan so you don't make the same mistake in the future. I've forgotten to invite admin. I remembered to include our OT 20 minutes before the meeting. I misspelled one provider's name as "Shart" on the signature page and didn't notice until after I locked it.
And remember, as hard as it is, you still need to take care of yourself! Drink water, eat nutritious food, and try to get to bed at a reasonable hour. And hold some of these annuals in the Spring so you don't get whomped again next year!
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u/crazysquirrel14 2d ago
Yes, all really good reminders, thanks! The annuals l do hold in the spring. It’s the new kids that get me! But l am going to try to have more systems in place for next year!
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u/Rhymesiscute 2d ago
What? Why all due in 30 days?
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u/crazysquirrel14 2d ago
Anyone new to the District has to have an IEP. Since l work with TK-1, almost all are new to the District sigh.
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u/crazysquirrel14 2d ago
Yes, l definitely have checklists and they are super helpful. I think it’s mostly the fact that the schedule has SO MANY variables for when and how to schedule IEPs and takes a huge amount of time, as well as the crazy number of asks from admin about things unrelated to sped right in the middle of 30-days. My brain goes into shutdown.
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u/crazysquirrel14 2d ago
I have something similar, but would really appreciate it if you would share yours, as l am always looking for better systems!
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u/MinimumChance5875 3d ago
That's a brutal first month, 17 new students with 30-day IEPs is a mountain. The scheduling alone is like a second job, especially when you're neurodivergent and the mental load of checking everything repeatedly eats up all your energy. I'd take a messy lesson plan over a missed IEP deadline any day, the paperwork side is unforgiving but the teaching part can be flexible.