What to Say in an IEP Meeting When You Know Your Child Needs Support

“In an IEP meeting, the most powerful advocacy is not only for academic goals, but for restoring a child’s confidence to believe they can achieve them.”

When parents enter an IEP meeting, emotions often run high. Yet confidence—both yours and your child’s—plays a decisive role in shaping outcomes. A child who believes in their abilities is more likely to participate, try new strategies, and persist through setbacks. But when confidence has been worn down by repeated struggles, even simple academic tasks can feel daunting.

That’s why it’s essential to use the IEP process not only to secure academic accommodations, but also to advocate for the kind of support that rebuilds a child’s confidence in learning.

The Subtle Impact of Confidence on Learning

Confidence shapes how children respond to the classroom environment. Its absence often appears in quiet but telling ways:

A child corrected repeatedly may stop offering answers.
A struggling reader may steer clear of books entirely.
A student who feels incapable may act out to avoid being exposed.

These behaviors are not rooted in laziness. They are coping strategies and ways children shield themselves from situations that highlight their difficulties.

Observations to Bring into the IEP Meeting

As a parent, you see patterns that teachers may not notice day to day. Sharing these concrete examples makes it clear that your child’s challenges are consistent and deserve attention:

- - Refuses or avoids reading, homework, or class activities
  - Says “I can’t” before even beginning a task
  - Shuts down or grows upset when corrected
  - Speaks confidently but avoids reading or writing in front of others
  - Frequently compares themselves unfavorably to classmates

Presenting these as observations rather than complaints invites the team to look for solutions together, keeping the conversation constructive and focused on support.

What We Can Do

Sometimes the missing link is not more effort or tutoring, but addressing underlying barriers to learning. At VUE Vision Therapy, we often see children with 20/20 eyesight who still struggle because of functional vision issues—problems with tracking, focus, or visual processing that make reading and sustained attention exhausting.

Through comprehensive assessments and personalized therapy plans, we work to strengthen these foundational skills. The result isn’t just academic improvement—it’s renewed confidence, because children finally feel capable of meeting the demands placed on them.