{"id":1032,"date":"2012-07-12T17:31:11","date_gmt":"2012-07-12T17:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.speechbuddy.com\/blog\/?p=1032"},"modified":"2015-02-17T13:44:51","modified_gmt":"2015-02-17T21:44:51","slug":"writing-actionable-ifsp-outcomes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.speechbuddy.com\/blog\/legal-issues\/writing-actionable-ifsp-outcomes\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing Actionable IFSP Outcomes"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Child<\/a>

Image source: Healthychildcare-wa.org<\/p><\/div>\n

If your child qualifies for speech therapy and other services through an early intervention program, the service coordinator for the program will schedule a meeting to write his Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)<\/a>. The IFSP details the services that your child is to receive. You are your child\u2019s best advocate and you understand his needs well. You and your entire family are strongly encouraged to get actively involved in the development of the IFSP. The IFSP is written with the view that the entire family is essential to the child\u2019s progress, so it takes a family-centered approach. That is, your child\u2019s needs will be identified, along with the needs of the entire family in supporting your child.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What Are Outcomes?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just like an Individualized Education Program (IEP)<\/a> has goals, an IFSP has outcomes. Outcomes are specific desires for the child\u2019s progress, or the results that the IFSP is intended to accomplish. Outcome statements tend to focus on short-term, measureable goals, rather than desired lifetime achievements. For example, instead of, \u201cJoey will become an important keynote speaker<\/a> who frequently addresses Congress,\u201d an IFSP outcome statement might state, \u201cJoey will learn to sing the alphabet song with his parents.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"IFSP<\/a>

Image source: Wn.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Well-written IFSP outcome statements<\/a> are actionable, specific, and family-based. That is, they identify certain actions that should take place to improve speech and language. Outcomes also involve the entire family and encourage child participation in everyday activities. IFSP outcome statements may also involve caregivers outside the family. For example, if little Joey spends a great deal of time with his daycare provider or nanny, that caregiver may be included in the IFSP.<\/p>\n

Asking Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sometimes it\u2019s tricky to find a starting point when writing the IFSP outcomes. Sit down with your family members and the IFSP team for a brainstorming session. It can be helpful to ask yourself questions and to use the answers to write the outcome statements. Here are a few sample questions to ask and discuss with the IFSP team:<\/p>\n