Sign-In
Cart
What to Say: A Parent's Guide to Every IEP Meeting
Paperback
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Jul 29 2026
Pages: 114
Weight: 0.36
Height: 0.24 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
You're sitting across from six school staff members, everyone fluent in acronyms - and someone just slid a form across the table for your signature. Do you know what to say next?
Most special education resources explain your rights in dense legal language, then leave you to improvise your own words in the room. This book does the opposite. It hands you the exact language for the moments that matter, built around a curated system of Gold, Silver, and Emergency scripts - not one rigid script, but layered options you can reach for depending on the moment you're actually in.
Inside, you'll find:
- Word-for-word scripts for requesting evaluations, disputing decisions, and responding when you hear we don't have the resources
- A Red Flag / Green Flag decision tree for reading what school staff are really telling you
- A documentation binder system and a fill-in follow-up letter template, so nothing important gets lost after the meeting ends
- An escalation roadmap covering every step available before formal due process
- Twelve printable tools, including four fully filled-in sample letters showing exactly what a completed request or dispute looks like
This book is not a legal textbook, and it won't replace an attorney when a dispute genuinely calls for one - it will tell you plainly when that moment has arrived. If you're looking for case law analysis or state-by-state legal citations, this isn't that book. If you want to walk into your next meeting knowing what to say, it is.
You already know your child. This book gives you the words to go with it.
Also from
Shah, Himani
The Forgetting Class: She helped write the law. Now she must outrun the woman who broke it.
Shah, Himani
Paperback
The Memory Brokers: One erased memory. One impossible conspiracy. One woman who remembers too much.
Shah, Himani
Paperback
Getting Paid to Care for a Parent: How to Get Paid Legally Without Risking Your Parent's Benefits
Shah, Himani
Paperback
Before You Hire a Contractor: Protect Your Money From the First Quote to the Final Payment
Shah, Himani
Paperback
The Career Restart: How to Explain Your Resume Gap and Return to Work After a Career Break
Shah, Himani
Paperback
When the Debt Collector Calls: A Case-by-Case Guide to Debt Validation, Your Rights, and What to Do Next
Shah, Himani
Paperback
Nobody Taught Me How to Own a Car: Buy Smart, Negotiate Fearlessly, Never Overpay Again
Shah, Himani
Paperback
Is It Time? A Pet Owner's Decision Guide: Know When to Say Goodbye With Confidence, Not Guilt
Shah, Himani
Paperback
The Widow's Playbook: Checklists, Scripts, and Tools for Your First Year Alone
Shah, Himani
Paperback
Also in
General Parenting
Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition
Patterson, Kerry
Switzler, Al
Grenny, Joseph
Paperback
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures
Fadiman, Anne
Paperback
The Adventurous Eaters Club: Mastering the Art of Family Mealtime
Collins, Misha
Collins, Vicki
Hardcover
The ADHD Workbook for Kids: Helping Children Gain Self-Confidence, Social Skills, & Self-Control
Shapiro, Lawrence E.
Paperback
Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood
Hallowell, Edward M.
Hallowell
Paperback
Don't Mom Alone: Growing the Relationships You Need to Be the Mom You Want to Be
Macfadyen, Heather
Paperback
Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right
Glowacki, Jamie
Paperback
Mom, I Want to Hear Your Story (Expanded Edition): A Mother's Guided Journal to Share Her Life & Her Love
Mason, Jeffrey
Paperback
Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story (Expanded Edition): A Father's Guided Journal to Share His Life & His Love
Mason, Jeffrey
Paperback
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
Haidt, Jonathan
Hardcover
Tiny Humans, Big Emotions: How to Navigate Tantrums, Meltdowns, and Defiance to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children
Campbell, Alyssa Blask
Stauble, Lauren Elizabeth
Paperback
Through Mom's Eyes: Simple Wisdom from Mothers Who Raised Extraordinary Humans
Jones, Sheinelle
Hardcover
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
Siegel, Daniel J.
Bryson, Tina Payne
Paperback
Be Your Own Bestie: A No-Nonsense Guide to Changing the Way You Treat Yourself
Brown, Misha
Hardcover
Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us about the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans
Doucleff, Michaeleen
Paperback
Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take Back Your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods
Doucleff, Michaeleen
Hardcover
Homeschooled: A New York Times Bestselling Memoir and Read with Jenna Pick
Merrill Block, Stefan
Hardcover
You Are the Parent: Move from Overparenting to Balanced Parenting and Become the Leader Your Child Needs
Cohen, Siggie
Hardcover
Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America
McCarthy, Andrew
Hardcover
The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning--And How to Help Them Thrive Again; Updated Edition
Cooney Horvath, Jared, PhD Med
Paperback
Raising Conscious Sons: Cultivating Purpose, Connection, and Inner Power in a Chaotic World
Tsabary, Shefali
Hardcover
Burn Book: Burn Book Mean Girls journal, Its full of secrets! - Blank Notebook/Journal - Mean Girls Notebook
George, Regina
Paperback
The Company We Keep: Friendship, Connection, and Redefining What It Means to Grow Together
Elle, Alexandra
Hardcover
Human Raised: Nurturing Connection, Curiosity & Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI
Suskind, Dana, MD
Hardcover
Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD: A Scientifically Proven Program for Parents
Lebowitz, Eli R.
Paperback
Raising Conscious Daughters: Building Confidence, Courage, and Inner Power in an Anxious World
Tsabary, Shefali
Hardcover
ABA Visualized Guidebook 2nd Edition: A visual guidebook of approachable behavior expertise
Van Diepen, Boudewijn
Van Diepen, Morgan
Paperback
Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience
Goff, Sissy, Lpc-Mhsp
Thomas, David
Hardcover
Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges
Schore, Tosha
Wipfler, Patty
Paperback
Smart But Scattered: The Revolutionary Executive Skills Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential
Dawson, Peg
Guare, Richard
Guare, Colin
Paperback
Notice and Do: Raise Capable Kids, End Motherhood Burnout, and Lighten Your Mental Load
Kelly, Sam
Hardcover
First-Time Fostering: A Practical Guide for Supporting Kids in Foster Care
Laura the Foster Parent Partner
Paperback
The Complex PTSD Workbook: A Mind-Body Approach to Regaining Emotional Control and Becoming Whole
Schwartz, Arielle, PhD
Paperback
The Orphaned Adult: Understanding and Coping with Grief and Change After the Death of Our Parents
Levy, Alexander
Paperback
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert
Silver, Nan
Gottman, John, PhD
Paperback
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons: Revised and Updated Second Edition
Haddox, Phyllis
Bruner, Elaine
Engelmann, Siegfried
Paperback
There Are Moms Way Worse Than You: Irrefutable Proof That You Are Indeed a Fantastic Parent
Boozan, Glenn
Hardcover
The Baby Decision: How to Make the Most Important Decision of Your Life
Bombardieri Msw Licsw, Merle A.
Paperback
Why We Fight: A Transformative Road Map to Healing Conflict in Any Relationship
Polinder, Kim
Hardcover
Chancla: Healing Our Families, Ourselves, and Our Culture Through Nonviolent Parenting
Priscilla, Leslie
Hardcover
Graceful Warrior: The True Story of a Son, a Father, and a Family Who Carried Each Other Through
Sinise, Gary
Hardcover
The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Special Eduction Services for Your Child
Siegel, Lawrence M.
Paperback
Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!): The Ultimate Puberty Book for Girls
Taylor, Sonya Renee
Paperback
So Far, So Good: 40 Dads Talk about Becoming Parents and How They Figured It Out
Leonard, Brendan
Hardcover
How to Raise an Emotionally Mature Child: Your Blueprint to a Lifetime of Happiness and Success for Your Child
Gibson, Lindsay C., PsyD
Hardcover
The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-To-Be
Ash Rudick, Jennifer
Brott, Armin A.
Paperback
How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7
Faber, Joanna
King, Julie
Paperback
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Being Grandma: 101 Stories by Grandmothers & Grandchildren
Newmark, Amy
Paperback
The Success Trap: How the Pressure to Stand Out Is Fueling Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout in Teens--And the Fundamental Fix They Deserve
Slavin, Stuart, MD Med
Hardcover
The Birth Partner, Sixth Revised Edition: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Partners, Doulas, and Other Labor Companions
Simkin, Penny
Cheyney, Melissa
Paperback
Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids
Clarke-Fields, Hunter
Paperback
The Creatures' Guide to Caring: How Animal Parents Teach Us That Humans Were Born to Care
Preston, Elizabeth
Hardcover
Raising Mentally Strong Kids: How to Combine the Power of Neuroscience with Love and Logic to Grow Confident, Kind, Responsible, and Resilient Childre
Amen MD Daniel G.
Fay Phd, Charles
Hardcover
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
Oster, Emily
Paperback
Mom Needs a Moment: How to Stop Your Reaction Before It Starts... and Become a Calmer, Happier, More Connected Parent
Freitas, Cassidy
Hardcover
The Kids Who Aren't Okay: The Urgent Case for Reimagining Support, Belonging, and Hope in Schools
Greene, Ross W.
Hardcover
Unoffendable Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better
Hansen, Brant
Paperback
Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict Into Connection
Gottman, John, PhD
Gottman, Julie Schwartz
Hardcover
One Bad Mother: In Praise of Psycho Housewives, Stage Parents, Momfluencers, and Other Women We Love to Hate
Dickson, Ej
Hardcover
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother
Greeven, Amely
Belger, Marisa
Ou, Heng
Hardcover
The Montessori Kitchen: A Parent's Guide to Nurturing Your Child's Curiosity, Confidence, and Connection to Food
Uzodike, Junnifa
Miglore, Kristen
Hardcover
Parenting a Spicy One: A Compassionate Guide for Raising a Deep-Feeling and Wonderfully Strong-Willed Kid
Van Geffen, Mary
Hardcover
Unfuck Your Boundaries: Build Better Relationships Through Consent, Communication, and Expressing Your Needs
Harper, Faith G.
Paperback
The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family: Over 100 Practical and Tested Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Kids
Powell, Kara
Paperback
The Road Less Triggered: Turning Conflict Into Connection with a Single Choice
Flanagan, Kelly
Paperback
The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation: The Secret to Finding Balance, Getting Things Done, and Enjoying Your Life
Free CCC, Jenna
Hardcover
Las Como Hablar para que Los Ninos Escuchen: y Como Escuchar para que los Ninos Hablen
Faber, Adele
Mazlish, Elaine
Paperback
Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults: A Guide for the Anxious, Uniquely Wired, and Easily Distracted
Maguire, Caroline
Hardcover
Tiny Beautiful Things (10th Anniversary Edition): Reese's Book Club: Advice from Dear Sugar
Strayed, Cheryl
Paperback
The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path
Heming Willis, Emma
Hardcover
The Picky Eater Playbook: Stress-Free Strategies to Jumpstart Healthy Eating Habits in Kids
Kimball, Katie
Paperback
The Unoffendable Heart: Breaking Free from the Cycle of Offense to Live in Freedom, Love, and Forgiveness
Signorelli, Mike
Paperback
There Are Dads Way Worse Than You: Unimpeachable Evidence of Your Excellence as a Father
Boozan, Glenn
Hardcover
Go with the Flow: The Definitive, No-Nonsense Physician's Guide to Breastfeeding
Mitchell, Katrina B.
Paperback
Good Daughtering: The Work You've Always Done, the Credit You've Never Gotten, and How to Finally Feel Like Enough
Alford Phd, Allison M.
Hardcover
Fit Baby, Smart Baby, Your Baby!: From Birth to Age Six
Hagy, Bruce
Doman, Glenn
Doman, Douglas
Paperback
Help! I'm Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who's Desperate for Change
Wedgeworth, Abbey
Paperback
No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
Bryson, Tina Payne
Siegel, Daniel J.
Paperback
Home Learning Year by Year, Third Edition: How to Design a Creative and Comprehensive Homeschool Curriculum
Rupp, Rebecca
Paperback
The Sensory Code: Understanding Sensory Processing Differences to Support Your Child's Unique Needs
Petix, Laura, MS Otr/L
Paperback
I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times
Guzmán, Mónica
Paperback
Actually, You're Fine: A Compassionate, Practical Guide to Maximizing Your Child's Potential in the Age of Anxiety
Davis, Katie S.
Hardcover
The Polysecure Workbook: Healing Your Attachment and Creating Security in Loving Relationships
Fern, Jessica
Paperback
Parenting Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle of Worry and Raising Resilient Kids
Elkins, Meredith, PhD
Elkins, Meredith, PhD
Hardcover
The Japanese Way of Parenting: And What It Taught Me about Raising (Mostly) Calm, Caring, Capable Kids
Katayama, Lisa
Paperback
Little Apocalypses: Essays on Motherhood, Climate Change, and Hope at the End of the World
Teer, Kaitlyn
Paperback
Girlhood, Translated: Understanding Young Women in the Age of Therapy Speak and Self-Diagnosis
Garfinkle-Crowell, Suzanne, M. D.
Hardcover
Love Machines: How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Our Relationships
Muldoon, James
Hardcover
Therapy Nation: How America Got Hooked on Therapy and Why It's Left Us More Anxious and Divided
Alpert, Jonathan
Hardcover
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers
Kleiman, Karen
Hardcover
Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, 8th Edition: Birth to Age 5
American Academy of Pediatrics
Paperback
But I'm Bored!: Discover the Power of Independent Play to Raise Confident, Resilient Kids
Assa, Lizzie, Msed
Hardcover