When the school adds an accommodation, you start a new therapy, or you try a new approach at home — don't wait months to find out if it helped. Track it weekly. Print one sheet per support being tried.
Why this matters for IEPs. The IEP must be reviewed at least annually, but you can request a review at any time if your child is not making progress (34 C.F.R. § 300.324(b)). Documented observations — with dates and specifics — give you evidence when you walk into that meeting and say "this isn't working."
WHAT WE'RE TRYING
Support / service / strategy:
Start date:
Who provides it:
How often (frequency):
What we're hoping to see:
WEEKLY OBSERVATION LOG
| Week |
Dates |
Sessions delivered? |
What I observed (behavior, mood, skills) |
Better / Same / Worse |
Notes |
| 1 | | | | | |
| 2 | | | | | |
| 3 | | | | | |
| 4 | | | | | |
| 5 | | | | | |
| 6 | | | | | |
DECISION POINT (FILL AT WEEK 4-6)
Is the support being delivered as planned? (If not, the trial isn't valid — document the gaps.)
Am I seeing improvement in the area we targeted?
Is my child tolerating it? (No support works if the child is in distress.)
Do I have enough data to bring to the team?
My recommendation:
Continue as-is / Increase / Modify / Discontinue / Request IEP review
Not sure if something's working? Talk it through with Chris — free, 24/7.
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