What is an IFSP
An Individualized Family Service Plan is a document that your state’s early intervention services team uses to give your toddler special services to help them develop. In this document the child’s needs, family’s needs, goals, service types and amount of service hours are written down. Over time a toddler’s needs may change, they may get an additional diagnosis or start going to daycare; or they may not be making enough progress towards their goals. When these things happen it is important to update the IFSP to reflect current needs and goals. Here is how to get started!
You can review an IFSP at any time by request
Call your service coordinator and ask for a team meeting to review the IFSP and you can list what factors you want the team to consider like a new diagnosis or switch to a new daycare program. Most providers will not give you a hard time. If you do run into issues you can use this language and cite the law below:
“According to IDEA 2004 Part C §303.342 b, 1, i and ii: I have the right to a periodic review of the IFSP by request to determine if progress towards my child’s goals is being made and whether revisions to my child’s goals and services are necessary”
[IDEA 2004 Part C §303.342 Procedures for IFSP development, review, and evaluation. (b) Periodic review. (1) A review of the IFSP for a child and the child’s family must be conducted every six months, or more frequently if conditions warrant, or if the family requests such a review. The purpose of the periodic review is to determine— (i) The degree to which progress toward achieving the results or outcomes identified in the IFSP is being made; and (ii) Whether modification or revision of the results, outcomes, or early intervention services identified in the IFSP is necessary]
Preparation
Consider the areas that you feel have changed for your child and what you would like to see change to make the early intervention programming more effective. It’s good to write a list of areas you want to make sure your team discusses and have it with you at the meeting.
Sometimes it can be easier to add services to an IFSP than it is to a school based Individual Education Plan (IEP). If you think this might be the case, be proactive and have your early intervention team add any needed services before your child turns 3. The school district will be considering what the IFSP has listed for services when they are planning out your initial IEP.
Troubleshooting
Some IFSP Teams will not feel as collaborative as they should. If this is the case it is important that you know the laws and use them when needed. Here are some laws and research articles that may help in the following situations
General Issues
You can say “According to IDEA 2004 Part C §303.344 d, 1: I have the right to have an IFSP that states which specific early interventions services based on peer-reviewed research will meet the unique needs of my child and family in order to achieve the stated goals.”
[IDEA 2004 Part C §303.344 Content of an IFSP (d) Early intervention services. (1) The IFSP must include a statement of the specific early intervention services, based on peer-reviewed research (to the extent practicable), that are necessary to meet the unique needs of the child and the family to achieve the results or outcomes identified in paragraph (c) of this section]
Adding Goals
You can say “Peer reviewed research on Autism Spectrum Disorder recommends: that interventions should enhance social communication, emotional/behavioral regulation, and adaptive behaviors. Let’s make sure we have at least one goal for each of these areas.”
[Early Intervention for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Under 3 Years of Age: Recommendations for Practice andResearch. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, Margaret L. Bauman, Roula Choueiri, Connie Kasari, Alice Carter, Doreen Granpeesheh, Zoe Mailloux, Susanne Smith Roley, Sheldon Wagner, Deborah Fein, Karen Pierce, Timothy Buie, Patricia A. Davis, Craig Newschaffer, Diana Robins, Amy Wetherby, Wendy L. Stone, Nurit Yirmiya, Annette Estes, Robin L. Hansen, James C. McPartland, Marvin R. Natowicz. Pediatrics Oct 2015, 136 (Supplement 1) S60-S81; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2014-3667E]
Adding or Changing Treatment Approaches
Start by saying “Peer reviewed research on Autism Spectrum Disorder recommends including a combination of developmental and behavioral approaches beginning as early as possible. I’ve researched Floortime and ABA, which combination of behavioral and developmental approaches to treatment will you use to meet my child’s goals?”
Adding More Hours
You can say “The American Association of Pediatricians recommends that a child diagnosed with Autism should be actively engaged in intensive intervention at least 25 hours per week, 12 months per year, with a low student-to-teacher ratio allowing for sufficient one-on-one time. How will your team follow these recommendations?”
[Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Scott M. Myers, Chris Plauché Johnson. Pediatrics Nov 2007, 120 (5) 1162-1182; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2007-2362 for more information on the recommendations.]