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How SLPs Walk Into IEP Meetings Prepared (Without the Panic)

Raise your hand if you’ve ever walked into an IEP meeting thinking, “Wait… did I pull their latest data?” Or worse — realizing the meeting is in 20 minutes and you forgot to get a language sample for that brand new goal the team is recommending. We’ve all been there. Here’s how Kit for Teams helps you walk into meetings prepared, not panicked.
By Lisa Kathman, M.S. CCC-SLP

Raise your hand if you’ve ever walked into an IEP meeting thinking, “Wait… did I pull their latest data?” Or worse — realizing the meeting is in 20 minutes and you forgot to get a language sample for that brand new goal the team is recommending. We’ve all been there. Here’s how Kit for Teams helps you walk into meetings prepared, not panicked.

What IEP Meeting Prep Usually Looks Like

Let’s be real: prepping for IEP meetings is a juggling act. You’re probably:

    • Digging through old sticky notes and data logs
    • Guess-timating data to get a baseline
    • Reusing the same outdated checklist for the 100th time
    • Emailing yourself reminders so you don’t forget critical steps

Whether you’re at one school juggling 40 teachers or bouncing between buildings, it’s easy for prep to fall through the cracks.

Kit Helps You Prep for IEPs — Without the Chaos

Here’s how Kit for Teams helps you stay on top of meetings, timelines, and everything in between:

    • To-Do Templates: Use the built-in IEP Checklist template to create a task with subtasks for every step of the process — from getting parent input to finalizing goals.
    • Sort by IEP Date: On the Students tab, sort your caseload by upcoming IEP dates so you always know who’s due next.
    • Session Notes & Audio: Record audio during sessions and reference it later when drafting PLAAFPs or goals or sharing a pre- post- therapy in the meeting — ideal for articulation or narrative samples.
    • Visual Graphs: Pull up each student’s data chart to get an instant picture of their progress and areas of need.

“I used to spend my Sundays piecing together IEP paperwork. Now, I can see everything I need right in Kit — with actual checklists to follow.” — Lindsey, SLP

What It Looks Like In Practice

Before a meeting, just:

    1. Open the student’s profile
    2. View their visual data graphs
    3. Play back recorded audio from earlier sessions
    4. Pull up your IEP checklist in To-Dos to make sure you’re not forgetting anything

Everything’s organized, in one place. You’re not scrambling, you’re prepared.

Good Documentation Starts With Good Planning

ASHA reminds us that we’re not just documenting for Medicaid or compliance — our data helps inform services and goal decisions. When it’s easy to find and interpret your data, you can:

    • Confidently recommend services
    • Collaborate clearly with your team
    • Avoid scrambling when parents or admin ask for specifics

👉 See ASHA’s documentation recommendations

Want to Try It?

Kit is built by school-based SLPs who know what this job really takes. Start your free 14-day trial — no credit card required — and walk into your next IEP meeting cool, calm, and confident.

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More from This Series

This blog is part of our Kit Feature Deep Dive series for school-based SLPs. 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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