Family-Directed Assessment
The New York State Early Intervention Program is family-centered. This means that your family's concerns, priorities, and resources are an important part of planning services for your child.
As part of your child's evaluation, you will be offered the opportunity to participate in a Family-Directed Assessment. This assessment is voluntary and focuses on your family's everyday life, routines, and the supports that are important to you. You decide what information you would like to share, and anything you share is kept confidential.
A Family-Directed Assessment helps your Early Intervention team learn about:
- Your family's concerns – What challenges or questions do you have?
- Your family's priorities – What is most important to you and your family right now?
- Your family's resources – What people, routines, strengths, and supports help your child and family each day?
The information you choose to share helps your IFSP team develop meaningful outcomes and services that fit your child's and family's daily life.
Preparing for Your Family-Directed Assessment
Many families find it helpful to think about a typical day before meeting with their team.
You might think about:
- Getting dressed in the morning
- Mealtimes
- Playtime
- Childcare or preschool
- Trips to the grocery store
- Bath time
- Bedtime
- Family outings or community activities
As you think about your day, ask yourself:
- What is going well?
- What is challenging?
- Who helps?
- What routines work well for our family?
- What would we like to be easier?
Writing down your thoughts before your meeting can help you remember what is most important to your family.
A Simple Planning Activity
Some families like to organize their thoughts using a simple chart.
| Activity | Who Is Involved? | What's Going Well? | Challenges | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Dad | Sits in highchair | Throws food | Big sister helps |
| Getting Dressed | Mom | Raises arms | Doesn't like certain clothes | Favorite song helps |
There is no right or wrong way to complete this activity. It is simply a tool to help you think about your family's daily routines before meeting with your Early Intervention team.
Turning Concerns into Goals
As you look at your daily routines, you may notice a few challenges that are especially important to your family. These often become your priorities.
Your IFSP team will work with you to develop outcomes that reflect what is most important to your family. Together, you will identify strategies and supports that can help your child learn new skills during everyday activities and routines.
Remember, you know your child best. Your experiences, ideas, and goals are an important part of creating an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) that works for your child and your family.
