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How OTs Can Prep for IEP Meetings Without the Last-Minute Scramble

Raise your hand if you’ve ever realized — too late — that the IEP meeting is tomorrow and you still need to summarize your data, get baseline info on a new goal, and track down that fine motor rubric. We’ve all been there. Kit helps you get organized ahead of time so you walk into meetings with everything you need — no panic required.
By Lisa Kathman, M.S. CCC-SLP

Raise your hand if you’ve ever realized — too late — that the IEP meeting is tomorrow and you still need to summarize your data, get baseline info on a new goal, and track down that fine motor rubric. We’ve all been there. Kit helps you get organized ahead of time so you walk into meetings with everything you need — no panic required.

What IEP Meeting Prep Usually Looks Like

If you’re a school-based OT, prepping for meetings might mean:

    • Flipping through notebooks to find anecdotal notes

    • Searching email threads for parent input

    • Trying to remember what supports worked last month

    • Rushing to get a solid baseline before recommending new goals

When you’re serving multiple grade levels or collaborating with dozens of educators, IEP prep can feel like its own full-time job.


Kit Makes IEP Prep Easier

Here’s how Kit supports you before, during, and after meetings:

    • To-Do Templates: Use the built-in IEP Checklist to stay on track with every step — from reviewing past data to documenting strengths and needs.

    • Sort by IEP Date: On the Students tab, filter by upcoming IEPs so you always know who’s next.

    • Session Notes & Audio: Quickly reference what was tried, what worked, and record progress samples to play back in meetings.

    • Visual Graphs: View and share student progress at a glance with clear visuals and trend lines.

“I love being able to track what supports worked and have all of that ready to share. No scrambling to summarize from memory.” — Jess, school-based OT


What It Looks Like In Practice

Before the IEP meeting, you:

    • Open the student’s profile and scan their goal graphs

    • Review last session’s notes and audio recordings

    • Check off your custom IEP prep checklist

    • Export a summary if your team requests documentation ahead of time

You’re prepared, confident, and ready to advocate for your student’s needs — with data to back it up.


Good Planning = Better Outcomes

AOTA highlights the importance of collaborative, student-centered goals and meaningful input from all team members. By making your prep process smoother, Kit gives you more time and headspace to contribute what matters most: your expertise.

👉 See AOTA’s Resources for School-Based Practice


Want to Try It?

Kit was built with real-world school teams in mind — including OTs. Start your free 14-day trial and walk into your next IEP meeting prepared (and maybe even early!).

👉 Start my free trial


More from This Series

This blog is part of our Kit Feature Deep Dive series for school-based OTs. Explore other posts in the series:

      Lisa Kathman, M.S. CCC-SLP
      Lisa Kathman is a veteran school-based SLP and the co-founder of SLP Toolkit, the parent company of Kit for Teams, and also co-founder of Bright Ideas Media, an inclusive, educator-led continuing education company. After two decades in the field — including serving as lead SLP in Arizona’s largest school district — Lisa is on a mission to simplify the day-to-day work of special education providers. She nerds out over data, documentation, and anything that helps special education teams feel more confident and less overwhelmed.

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