This is an excellent explanation of the process with advice for parents from Jaclyn Youhana Garver published by Lifehacker.

'Parenting a child with an identified learning disability is an exercise in frequent and sustained advocacy. And perhaps one of the most confusing things these parents will have to navigate is the IEP—or Individualised Education Program—process. That’s the specialised educational to-do list parents and schools create to make sure a child with a disability is receiving specialised instruction and making progress. The plan defines your child’s educational needs, goals and objectives. And creating it can be overwhelming and intimidating....