5 Strategies for writing AT into IFSPs or IEPs

1. GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO TALK - Plan the meeting when all team members (including AT professionals) have plenty of time to meet and discuss the educational plan.
2. SIT AT A TABLE – Have all the members sit at a table where everyone can see what is being discussed and written.
3. SHARE EVERYONE’S IDEAS AND THOUGHTS – Be sure everyone writes their ideas and thoughts on index cards and lays them on the table for all to see.
4. AGREE – Be sure the entire team agrees with the program discussed.
5. PUT AWAY THE IFSP/IEP DOCUMENT UNTIL THE PROGRAM IS DECIDED – be sure everyone supports the program before writing it on the document.
6. ACCOMMODATIONS: Remember, on an IEP, you can write in AT not only as part of a goal or objective, but also as an accommodation.

Steps to writing Outcomes (including AT) on the IFSP.

Step 1: Begin with “Family Concerns and Provider Concerns”. Write on index cards what you think your child needs…. are there any health issues…are there family needs (training, support, respite) and place on table.

Step 2: Talk about “What my child is doing now”. Write down the most important things on a card or cards and place on table..

Step 3:  “Places/Routines” on Table. Write down the places that your child spends his/her time and common routines that would be good times for working with your child. (meals, bedtime, visits to relatives).

Step 4: “Outcomes” on table. Discuss above information and come up with some good outcomes or goals. Write in plain English. Include training and learning new assistive technology devices as one of your outcomes for the child if necessary.

Step 5: “Making Progress” on table. Create progress statements based on outcomes. Be sure you have 1) the behavior to measure, 2) how it will be measured, 3) who will observe, 4) where it will be measured.

Step 6: “Strategies” for achieving outcomes and progress statements. Create ideas for working towards each outcome and who will be responsible. Include any assistive technology that may be helpful. 

Step 7: Be sure everyone agrees to the program laid out on the table. Now you are ready to write on the IFSP document.
 

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