In the United States, an Indivudalized Education Program (or Plan in Canada) is a program that is designed to meet the unique educational needs of one child. It is mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and should include things such as, The child's present levels of academic and functional performance
Measurable annual goals, including academic and functional goals
How the child's progress toward meeting the annual goals are to be measured and reported to the parents
Program modifications or supports provided to school personnel on behalf of the child
Accommodations to be provided during state and district assessments that are necessary to the measuring child's academic and functional performance etc.

An IEP can either be Modified completely so that the original curriculum outcomes are not met, and a seperate, specialized set of goals are made for the child. Or the IEP could be Adapted, meanining the original curriculum outcome is still the same, yet classroom accomodations and resources are provided.

For most children who have ADHD, an adapted plan is usually implemented unless there is a severe learning disability or other impairment that could affect the child in a mainstream classroom.

Hope that helps! I had to do a paper on IEPs in the Canadian and American education systems, so I had to do a fair bit of reading and some intervewing. Got a B+ on the paper though.

does your son have a counler outside of the school? If he doesn't, he should and they can then help you get a service worker to insure he gets all the services he needs...even with the school. I have found if you try to go it alone, they will jerk you around. If you have someone working with you, they tend to work much better with you and your son. I don't play around with my grandsons education...I bring in the big guns. Never deal with the schools alone!

I have dealt with schools since my son was in kindergarten. The first few years it was rough until I got smart. You have to research the school system in your area. Find out exactly how the system works, what abbreviations stand for, and research IEP's in your area. You should be able to find some examples online. Then right notes on what you expect from the school in regards to your son. Make out your own agenda and don't leave until it's been discussed or another meeting has been set up (make sure you make copies for everyone else). I have found that a well informed parent can do wonders.

The school, ours anyway, will do as little as possible and just pass your kid through. It is amazing that they came to you about an IEP because I had to BEG my school to even test my daughter. She is in 3rd grade and two grades behind and at this point she refuses to go to the special services so her IEP is not being met. At first I went along with what the school said, but not any more now I bring her councelor and anyone else that can help her get the help she needs. Keep on top of the school is my advice.