The First Days: Starting School with an IEP


After the IEP was finalized and the services were in place, the next big step was one that every parent knows well—the first day of school.

But when your child has special needs, that day carries a little more weight, a little more planning, and a whole lot more emotion.


As both an educator and a parent, I knew how important it was to start this transition the right way. I also knew my son—and I knew he needed more than just a backpack and a new pair of shoes to feel ready.


He needed to meet his teacher.


So, before school began, I reached out to the district and arranged a time for my son to visit the classroom and meet the teacher in advance. That short meeting made a big difference. He got to see the room, hear her voice, and get familiar with a new space that would soon become part of his daily routine.


When the first day finally arrived, we took him to school ourselves.


His teacher was waiting outside to greet the students, and when he saw her, his face lit up. He walked in with a smile, excited and confident—at least on the outside.


And then came the hardest part for us: waiting.


We had done everything we could. The IEP was in place. The services were lined up. The teacher knew his medical needs and support plan. But still… we waited. Wondering. Hoping.


Thankfully, later that day we heard from the teacher.


She told us everything went well. Our son had a great first day. He followed routines, enjoyed the activities, and most importantly—he was happy.

That small piece of feedback meant everything.

What I Learned That Day

  • Preparing your child emotionally is just as important as preparing them academically.
  • Building trust with the teacher early creates a bridge for communication and reassurance.
  • Even with the best plan in place, the first day will always be emotional—and that’s okay.

For parents just starting this journey, I want you to know:

Your voice matters. Your instincts matter. And small steps—like arranging a meet-and-greet—can make a big difference.


You don’t have to have it all figured out.

Just take it one day at a time. And when in doubt, trust what you know—about your child, and about your heart.

Did you do anything special to help your child get ready for their first day with an IEP?

Or are you preparing for that day right now?

Share in the comments—I’d love to hear what helped you, or what you’re wondering about.



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