As the family member of a young child receiving Early Intervention (EI) services, you want to be sure these services are helping your child develop and learn. EI services are designed to make the most of each child’s potential and strengthen the family’s ability to support their child.
As a family member, you are a critical part of the child’s development and education. It is our goal to help you understand and meaningfully participate in the Child Outcome Summary process for your child.
The three child outcomes focus on what your child can do in his or her everyday routines and activities at home, at school, or in the community. While Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) outcomes are written specifically for your child, these three child outcomes are the same for everyone.
Developing Positive Social - Emotional Relationships
How children interact and play with their family, other adults, and other children.
Acquiring and Using Knowledge and Skills
How children learn and use basic language and communication skills such as counting and problem solving that will prepare them to be successful in kindergarten.
Taking Appropriate Action to Meet Needs
How children gradually become more independent by learning how to move from place to place, feed themselves, and take care of basic needs.
By looking at how well your child is doing in each of the three areas, you can determine what he or she needs in order to become more involved in your family’s activities. The information gathered about your child will also help you develop individual outcomes and goals for your child’s Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).
As the parent, you are the expert on your child. When parents and professionals work together, children do better. You have information about your child that cannot be gathered any other way than by hearing it directly from you.
By sharing your observations of your child, you will be helping your early intervention service providers and team understand your child’s strengths and needs. Through your involvement, you will help your child to be an active and successful participant now and in the future at home, in the community, and at school.
We look forward to helping you:
• Gain confidence in your ability to observe your child and share observations with others.
• Develop an increased understanding of how your child is functioning compared to age expectations.
• Learn to track and celebrate the progress that your child is making.
• Contribute more to IFSP team discussions about your child’s strengths and accomplishments and the development of appropriate outcomes or goals.
Adapted from: “A Family Guide to Participating in the Child Outcomes Measurement Process” from ECTA and PACER Centers.Cuyahoga County’s Child Outcomes Summary (COS) Family Participation letter.