BEST PRACTICES FOR PARENTS
As the parent of a child with special needs, you will have gathered a tremendous amount of information about your child from various professionals and service agencies. Each time you seek services for your child, you will be asked to supply this information.
As the primary decision-maker, observer, and advocate for your child, it is to your benefit to keep accurate, up-to-date records. Here’s a way to keep your information organized. Purchase a loose-leaf binder with tabbed dividers. Suggested sections for your notebook are:
- Background Information
- Development History
- Medical History & Reports
- Family Health History
- Educational History
- Psychological Reports
- Copies of Your Child’s IEP
- School Progress Notes & Report Cards
- Past & Present Work Samples
- Outside Agency Reports
- Letters You have Written & Received
- Record of Contacts with Schools & Agencies
- Long-term Goals and Short-term Objectives
You may want to take your notebook with you when you go to your child’s school for an IEP meeting, or when you visit a new agency or service provider.
So remember…keep your notebook up-to-date!