Memory fades over time. Preparing and continually updating a report helps keep facts and sequence of events in order and "at your finger tips."
A Parent Report can give a professional critical information that may not be conveyed by the parent to the professional due to form limitations or time constraints during an initial appointment.
Preparation of a report presents the opportunity to tender parental views in a logical, calm manner. Walking into a meeting or a doctor's appointment knowing it's probable you're going to get the standard dissertation that the problem is due to "lack of parenting skills" makes it's difficult not to go on the defensive. A Parent Report can help you stay focused, and be used as a tool to redirect attention to pertinent issues. It can also greatly alleviate the "intimidation factor."
Sometimes it happens that what's said during consultation is just as important as what might be found in a formal report. Nevertheless, when "it" is not in the report provided by a professional, the input is not available for other team members. A Parent Report can keep all the team players informed of your child's status in various areas, i.e., medication adjustments, progression of occupational therapy, responsiveness to counseling, new behavioral problems, problematic behaviors resolved, etc.
A Parent Report can be utilized as a type of screening tool. Prior to an appointment, I fax or e-mail the report. The overall reception of the report has been instrumental in helping gage the attitude and professionalism of the professional. Thus far, I've been able to reach conclusions to questions that I personally need addressed up front. For instance, did the professional take the time to even scan the report? Is the report taken seriously or dismissed out of hand? Is s/he receptive to input by a parent or is the attitude portrayed that "you're just the parent?" Whether because of lack of expertise, general disrespect, arrogance, or being just too busy to render the quality of care I expect for my child, knowing sooner rather than later that I'm not going to be able to work with a particular person is important.
Such a report is helpful in preparing for an IEP meeting. |
