Anyone else struggling with their child’s IEP for anxiety and trauma?

Our 5th grader has anxiety and a trauma disorder, and their IEP doesn’t address their real needs. The school just sees their behaviors as defiance, but in safer environments, they don’t have any issues. We’ve had several meetings, but nothing’s changed. How do we get a better IEP that actually helps?

Ugh, that’s so frustrating. Have you pushed for trauma-informed care in the IEP? It might help if you can get a specialist involved.

Darin said:
Ugh, that’s so frustrating. Have you pushed for trauma-informed care in the IEP? It might help if you can get a specialist involved.

Yeah, we’ve mentioned it, but it never seems to get put into action. It’s like they just focus on the symptoms and ignore the root causes.

Darin said:
Ugh, that’s so frustrating. Have you pushed for trauma-informed care in the IEP? It might help if you can get a specialist involved.

Maybe bringing in a professional who understands trauma could help guide the process. Schools can be really slow to implement change on their own.

@Ellis
That’s a good idea, I might look into that. We just want our kid to be seen for who they are, not as a ‘problem.’

Have you considered taking the issue up with the state education department? They might be able to help if the school isn’t cooperating.

Reagan said:
Have you considered taking the issue up with the state education department? They might be able to help if the school isn’t cooperating.

Not yet, but we’re in California, so I’ll definitely check into it if this keeps up. Thanks for the suggestion!

Reagan said:
Have you considered taking the issue up with the state education department? They might be able to help if the school isn’t cooperating.

I think it’s worth a shot, especially if the district hasn’t been helpful after so many meetings.

You mentioned your child being misgendered in the IEP—definitely send a request to fix that. It might not solve everything, but it’s a start.

Morgan said:
You mentioned your child being misgendered in the IEP—definitely send a request to fix that. It might not solve everything, but it’s a start.

Yeah, I’ve sent requests to update the documents, but they keep getting the details wrong, like mixing up dates or schools.

IDK, that’s just unacceptable. Is the school even addressing the bullying your kid is going through?

Blaine said:
IDK, that’s just unacceptable. Is the school even addressing the bullying your kid is going through?

IDK? What’s that?

Blaine said:
IDK, that’s just unacceptable. Is the school even addressing the bullying your kid is going through?

Oops, it stands for ‘I don’t know.’

Blaine said:
IDK, that’s just unacceptable. Is the school even addressing the bullying your kid is going through?

They haven’t done much about the bullying. They’re more focused on ‘bad behaviors’ like not finishing an assignment or swearing. It’s so frustrating.

Have you thought about bringing in a legal advocate? Sometimes schools start paying attention when there’s outside pressure.

Channing said:
Have you thought about bringing in a legal advocate? Sometimes schools start paying attention when there’s outside pressure.

That’s probably our next step if things don’t improve. We’re just tired of our child being punished instead of helped.