Assume that you are responsible for working with the family

Assume that you are responsible for working with the family of a child with Autism.
write a 2-page letter you would send to the family prior to their first IEP/IFSP meeting. This will help you practice communication with families about the special education services their child may be receiving. You always want to show the family that you understand their child\'s individual needs and are available as a family support.

Be sure to include the following in your letter:

Information about the processYour support for the familyTheir role and your role

Solution

IEP means Individualized Education Program. It is a plan for special education and other relative service for a child between the age of 3 and 21. The parent of the child and the other IEP team will meet at least once a year to clarify that the IEP meet’s the child needs.

The IEP team includes 1. The parent of the child, 2. One of the general education teacher of the child, 3. One special education teacher or provider, 4. A school district representative having knowledge about general education and special education. 5. School psychologist who can interpret the first child’s education and its results, 6. The child

The parent can invite someone who is well aware of the child’s need to attend the meeting. The parent can also invite a friend or advocate. It will have special vigilance on the matter. The person who cannot participate the meeting in person can participate by conference call or a video chat with the prior permission of the IEP team leader.

The first IEP meeting considers a draft of plan. Some school prepares this draft in advance and usually share at the meeting. If the school prepares it in advance ask them to send before the meeting.

Every IEP meeting discuss the key aspects like:

Present level of information: The team leader will prepare a statement about the child’s present level of education functional performance. The statement is based on test data and observation from the team leader and members.

Annual Goal: The team will discuss and review about the progress that the child has made in meeting his annual goal. The meeting will develop new goal for the coming year. The annual goals prepare for the child should be specific, measurable and must be tailored to the child.

Individualized support and service: The team will analyze how the support and services are working on the child. Thereafter the team will update the support and service in order to match the annual goals.

The team is proposing fitness and strategies to strengthen the child’s need. If upon anything the parent has doubt, he can make clarification and the team members will help to remove the doubts.

During the meeting the team leader will note the changes in IEP as per the discussions in the meeting. This will be a draft of the new IEP meeting.

ISFP is an Individualized Family Service Plan. It guides and supports to improve the child’s development upto the age of 3.

The plan specifies the kind of service that the child should receive and what would be its results.

The IFSP considers the present level of functioning of the child and his needs. It also clarifies what the family needs in the best support of the child and the priorities the parent and the family have on the child. It also takes in to account the resources of the family.

The parent must give consent in writing before the plan is going into action. If any service that parent feels uncomfortable for the child he can decline it at any time. This will not deprive the child from getting other service.

The IFSP team consists of the following persons:

1. The parent of the child, 2. Other family members if the parent request, 3. An advocate outside from the family if requested. 4. A service coordinator, 5. Professionals directly involved in evaluation or assessment of the child’s need. In addition to this the IFSP team include specialist such as Medical practitioner, Therapist, Child development specialist and social worker according to the needs of the child.

The team reviews the plan in every six months and update within one year. The team reviews the progress of the child and the family situations.