FAQS ON REFERRALS

Q. What if I don't know if my child needs therapy?
A. Refer anyway. It is always a pleasure for staff to be able to tell parents after an observation or assessment that their child is functioning just fine.

Q. At what age is it appropriate to refer?
A. The research clearly tells us that the earlier intervention begins, the better.

Q. What if I'm not sure if you provide the service my child needs?
A. Refer anyway. If we are not the appropriate agency to help, we will guide you to the one that is.

Q. How long will I have to wait to see someone once I refer?
A. For referrals to the Early Intervention Program, a Family Support Worker (who sees all new families except those referred for speech therapy only or Family Connections only) typically meets with parents within one week of receiving the referral for the Initial Consultation. He or she tells the family about the Centre, finds out what the family needs, and asks the parents to sign the consents and authorizations. In general, the child will be seen by the therapist(s) within one month. The various programs have different waiting lists for individual therapy at different times, but all departments will see the child up to 5 times in the first few months even if there is a waiting list for their individual therapy. The purpose of this quick response is to meet immediate needs, provide parent training and education, and begin any needed external referrals.

For referrals to the Family Connection Program, a Case Facilitator will meet with the family to develop a "Family Care Team" comprised of informal and formal supports.  The team will set goals, creates action plans, and work together to achieve the objectives  chosen by the family.  The family may also receive individual support from the Case Facilitator, as needed.

Q. What does therapy cost?
A. Physiotherapy, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, family support, paediatric consultation, and respite care, are free to families. Fees are charged for some services, including therapy groups, parent education courses, and equipment loan. Families that cannot afford to pay for these services may request a subsidy or waiver through the Family Support Worker or their child's therapist.

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FAQS ON THE INITIAL TEAM OBSERVATION MEETING

Q. What is an ITOM?
A. An Initial Team Observation Meeting (ITOM) is the meeting at which the therapists assigned to a family first meet the child in the presence of the parent(s). It is an opportunity for the parents, therapists, and Family Support Worker (FSW) to share information about the child and for the therapists to observe the child in an informal setting. An ITOM is not an assessment (that takes significantly more time) but it is a first look at a child in a relaxed setting.

Q. What happens during the ITOM?
A. During the ITOM therapists generally take turns interacting with the child in a playful way. The physiotherapist might incorporate various activities, such as kicking a ball, walking a balance beam, or jumping on one foot into some kind of non-threatening game. The occupational therapist might invite the child to join her in colouring a picture, drawing, or making a tower of blocks. The speech-language pathologist will be watching and listening to the child's communication and may ask the child and his parent(s) specific questions to help assess how the child communicates at this point. The Family Support Worker organizes the ITOM and records observations and information during the meeting. A plan is discussed and put in writing.

Q. What happens at the end of the ITOM?
A. A copy of the notes from the meeting are given to the parents at the end of the meeting. These notes include a PLAN of action - or 'next steps'.

Q. Where does the ITOM take place?
A. The ITOM can take place at the Centre or the family's home. The FSW will ask the family for their preferred location.

Q. When is the ITOM held?
A. Our goal is to have an ITOM within one month of the Initial Consultation unless family circumstances, such as holidays or hospitalization, do not allow this.

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FAQS ON THE FAMILY SERVICE PLANNING MEETING

Q. What is a Family Service Planning Meeting?
A. A Family Service Planning Meeting (FSP) is an opportunity for the parents and professionals on a child's team to create a coordinated and integrated service plan. The purpose of the FSP meeting is:
1. to ensure that all the people on the child's team are working toward the same family-identified goals
2. to ensure that everyone on the team has a good idea what everyone else is doing, and why
3. to identify strategies that all (or many) members of the team can implement in a variety of environments

Q. When and where does the Family Service Planning Meeting take place?
A. The initial meeting (IFSP) is held approximately 3 months after the Initial Team Observation Meeting (ITOM). An FSP Review (FSPR) meeting is typically held at least annually. The FSP meeting may be held at the Centre, at home, or at a preschool or daycare. It usually lasts about 90 minutes.

Q. Who attends the FSP Meeting?
A. Parents are welcome to invite anyone they would like to be at the meeting. Participants usually include the child's parents and therapists, the Family Support Worker, and community professionals working with the child (eg. preschool or daycare teacher, Infant Development Consultant, Supported Child Development Consultant). Parents may wish to invite grandparents or other relatives who care for the child on a regular basis.

Q. What happens at a FSP Meeting?
A. An FSP Meeting generally follows this format: Update of medical issues, appointments, changes in status; Strengths of child and family; Needs and concerns; Family-identified goal(s); Objectives (created by therapists or Family Support Worker with input from parents); Strategies; Plan. One person facilitates the discussion; another records. The family is given a copy of the notes of the meeting to take home with them. A typewritten formal report is created within two weeks and all participants sign it. The original copy is kept in the child's file. Parents receive a copy. Other participants in the meeting may receive a copy with the parents' permission.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY CHILD GOES TO KINDERGARTEN?

Transition To Kindergarten Process

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