I figured out how to turn my son’s IEP into a practical learning plan using AI

Published on From Score to Solution™ Blog

Y’all. Can we just have a moment of honesty here?

So there I was, sitting in my car after my son’s IEP meeting, holding a stack of papers that looked very official and very important. And also very… confusing?

I’m staring at phrases like “executive functioning support” and “visual-spatial processing deficits” and thinking, “Okay, so ‘sensory regulation strategies’… that sounds important.” “Very important.” “What does it mean?” “…I have no idea.”

The Lightbulb Moment

Out of pure frustration (and curiosity), I decided to try something different. I opened Claude and asked it to help me translate this 30-page IEP document into everyday strategies.

What happened next surprised me.

Instead of generic advice, Claude helped me break down each goal into specific activities tied to our actual daily routines. It explained terminology in ways that made sense to me as his parent, not just as someone trying to decode clinical language.

Suddenly, it all made so much more sense!

The Beautiful Mess of Real Life

Here’s what I learned that nobody puts in the official reports: Your regular day is already full of opportunities to support these goals.

Like, ALL of them.

That morning routine where he’s learning to get dressed in the right order? Executive functioning practice.

Snack time when you offer different textures and he gets to choose? Sensory regulation.

Clean-up time when you’re sorting toys by size and color? Visual-spatial processing.

You don’t need to become a therapist to help your child thrive.

You just need to understand what your child needs, and then figure out how to weave that support into your actual life. Not some perfect Pinterest version of your life. Your real, beautiful, chaotic, “where did I put my coffee” life.

Your kid doesn’t need you to transform into a clinical professional. They need you to be their parent who understands how to help them succeed in the world they actually live in.

Because that’s where the magic happens anyway.

Here’s the Thing, Friend

If you’re sitting with your child’s assessment reports feeling a little overwhelmed or confused, you are in such good company.

That feeling isn’t a sign that you’re not cut out for this. It’s a sign that you care deeply about understanding how to help your child.

And honestly? That caring is the most important qualification you could possibly have.

Your child is amazing. You’re an amazing parent. And together, we’re going to figure this out.

Vanessa is a clinician, mom, and the founder of From Score to Solution™. She believes that the best support strategies are the ones that work with your real life, not against it. When she’s not creating personalized learning plans, she can be found searching for her coffee mug and celebrating the beautiful chaos of raising an incredible kid.

Ready to turn assessment confusion into family confidence? Let’s Connect

About This Blog

Life with kids is beautifully messy. Supporting a child with special needs doesn’t have to make it more complicated. Here, we share practical strategies, real stories, and gentle encouragement for parents who are figuring it out as they go.

Because every parent deserves to feel confident about supporting their child’s growth.