This booklet provides a frank look at what should be expected and what should not in navigating complex regulations and procedures of the IEP process. The system can turn into a maze that seems overbearing and obstructive. This is the IEP user's manual that does not come in the box.Special education is a system that has become a monolith of micromanaging technicalities and mandates. Too often, as frustration builds, conflict and resistance take over the team process, despite the shared goal of helping a struggling child gain solid footing for the educational journey.Far more than any other error, omission, or malfeasance, the most formidable obstructions result from misunderstanding and uninformed decisions. When this crucial team process goes awry, it is always the child who suffers.About the Author: Kathlyn Tipton is a doctor of psychology, with a specialization in educational psychology. She worked in public schools as a school psychologist for 16 years in California and Nevada. In addition, she worked for three years in private practice as a California licensed educational psychologist, directly serving students and their families. At the same time, she provided services to public and charter school staff and students as an independent contractor. Dr. Tipton has now stepped out of the direct service arena entirely, engaging entirely in self-publishing and independent consultation. In this she has attained self-direction and flexibility in doing what she knows is right in support and advocacy for our children. Her primary goals are to advocate for the needs of disadvantaged children, and to empower those on the front lines who serve and care for them.