The PEN Project & Partners Resource Network
Texas Resource Center for Early Parent Intervention
Keeping Your Child’s Records |
Getting the help you need for your child can be a daunting task, especially with all the information and paperwork you see. One of the best tools you can have for accomplishing this task more successfully is to keep a records book. This will allow you keep track of all the essential information on your child, in an organized and convenient manner. This book will be your gateway to smooth and gainful interactions with professional dealing in your child’s life. It is an excellent way for these professionals to gain familiarity with your child’s history. As they get older, your child will encounter numerous professionals (doctor’s, healthcare professionals, educators, etc.), and this records book will allow them to spend less time “recreating” your child’s history and more time problem solving for their future. Now that you know why it’s important, here is what you will need:
Now that you have all your supplies for the notebook, here is a good way to organize the information within the notebook. Label your dividers as follows: Profile. This is a good place to tell everyone who your child is. Describe here your child’s strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes. Tell about who your child is. As his/her parent, what do you know about him/her? What makes your child who they are? This isn’t just the basic “facts” on your child or just their disability information, this is your chance to tell everyone who this special person in your life really is! History. Here you will need to include information such as: immediate family tree, health/medical history, developmental history, educational history, and any significant events in your child’s life. The more detailed, the better the tool this will be. Current Concerns. Before any meeting with professionals, write down the concerns you have regarding your child. Date these records and the contact information of the professional you are meeting with. You will use these to build the basis of your discussions. Past Concerns. Keep past records and concerns, also dated, and any action taken on these concerns. Medical. You will need to file copies of any letters you have written or received from your child’s doctor(s). Also keep copies of letters written from one doctor to another concerning your child and their records. To obtain these, just ask your child’s physician. Diagnostic and Treatment Reports. From the time you begin working with medical professionals, maintain records of any relevant medications you child has been prescribed. Note the following in your records: doctor’s name, name of medication, amount prescribed, date begun, and reasons for taking prescription. Also make sure you make note of any changes to the medication, date and reasons if child stops taking a medication, the benefits experienced while on the medication, and any side effects experienced. If there are any articles or information you have shared with your child’s doctor, file copies of them here. Psychological and Social. In this section you will file copies of letters, assessments, reports, etc. that deal with psychological, emotional, social, and behavioral concerns. If the document relates to the school, include a copy or reference to this copy, in your “Educational” section of your notebook. Educational. This section will be where you will file copies of anything about your child in school for the past couple of years. This section will need to include:
You are entitled to see and have copies of anything in your child’s school records kept by the school. Make sure you are looking over these records thoroughly, and making copies of anything that you don’t already have. When reviewing these records, ask to see ALL RECORDS being maintained by the school. These records are typically kept in multiple places, including:
A few extra, but important tips for maintaining these records:
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