ANOTHER IFSP and I sure need help!

[Debby]

Dear Uno Mas Friends,

I am glad I can at least talk to you!
I must admit today is one day I probably shouldn't be sharing with anyone! I am very upset!
But here goes...
I have another IFSP today...this is three in three months. It has been very difficult for me and I know now to get help...but today is the day.
I am using so much of what all of you have shared with me about Speech, the IDEA guidelines...especially about how they must help the family...and my old IFSP.
Please help me if you can asap to set some new goals for Keeran. He will be 1 year in July.
He is just now sitting up independently and he self feeds but most of it ends up on the floor. He does some communication, but mostly just complaining. He is just beginning to use the pincer grasp. I am at a loss and feel pretty discouraged right now about how to write out these goals. I thought they (EI) were going to help me do this and so far...it hasn't been the case.
I have completely lost my trust in them and could really use some prayer today and help.
Thanks whoever can chime in !

Debby

[meghans_mom]

Yikes...I can't believe the therapists don't give ideas for the IFSP - here are some ideas off the top of my head...if i could find them i'd dig out MMs old IFSPs and read you what i have but i can't get at them right now.
anyways....i know he's doing some of these things already so just pull out anything that might be helpful, sorry if some may not be age appropriate but I can't really remember and since it's for 6 months, I always went a little beyond what was expected w/ MM just in case.

pulling to stand, crawling, stairs, continue w/ self feeding skills (holding a bottle, cup, spoon, straw drinking) self feed solids (crackers, cheerios, pretzles), work on lip closure, communicate wants/needs with combo of signs and verbal signs, mimic sounds and words, increase vocabulary (both sign and verbal),
putting rings on a Rock-A-Stack, putting items in/taking items out of a shape sorter, removing andreplacting items in simple (3 pc) form board or puzzle, pointing to indicate wants/needs, isolating pointer finger to point to items in board book, isolating pointer to activate cause and effect toy, or light switch, help in dressing (putting hands up to put on/take off shirt), removing socks, recognize (by pointing) X number body or facial parts,

ok - can't remember anything else...a really good idea to help you with the goals is to get a copy of the HELP checklist (Hawaii Early Learning Profile) or others that the therapists use (I can't recall the name of the 2nd that is oft-used). It has really good ideas for what the child should be doing...it's nice to have a copy of. See if any of your therapists can get you a copy. If not, I know I have one somewhere that I can send you. Meghan also had a workbook the therapists gave her and we would mark off the dates she did things (it was a whole book based on the HELP list) and that helped me w/ her goals...i have no idea where that thing is but if I find it, I'll post more ideas for you.

take a deep breath and hang in there!! hugs, laurie

[Debby]

Just to clarify...they do fill the IFSP all out for me, but their goals are so vague that it doesn't help get services at all. So I am attempting to clarify the goals so that they must make "reasonable progress" toward them. THanks LaurieT

[mervie]

In SC the IFSP was through the dept. of disabilities and special needs and the early interventionist was most helpful in giving me goals that I wanted little Adam to accomplish. It was sometimes appropriate and sometimes I was way off, but we'd figure it out and change it on the IFSP. Like one goal was for Adam to use and spoon appropriately. Another was to stay with me when we'd go to a store( he was notorious for running away) Another was respite services...Thiswas money for babysitting so my hubby and I'd have time together( sometimes with our other kids)....It all depended on what I, the physical therapist, the seech therapist and the occupational therapist wanted out of Adam at the time. It's ok to be unrealistic sometimes....but ya know sometimes our kids surprise us and their therapists!
Mervie (mom of 4)