Your Child's Service Plan: IFSP Basics

The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is a written document that is developed by the IFSP Team. Members of the team include the parents, the Service Coordinator, at least one person who was involved with the evaluation of the child such as the teacher, and/or a therapist who will be involved in providing services to the child and family. The parents may also invite anyone else they choose to the meeting. This may be a family friend who is there for moral support or to take notes or a therapist or doctor who has treated the child. The family may also bring someone who is familiar with the Early Intervention (EI) system, such as an advocate, who can help the family understand the meeting and the process of developing the IFSP.

All members of the IFSP team will be invited in writing at least five calendar days prior to the date set for the meeting. The meeting must be held at a time and place convenient for the parents. If the parents are not able to attend in person, they may join the meeting by phone.

The IFSP lists the specific types and amount of each service needed and where the services will be provided. (For example, the IFSP may specify 1-on-1 delivery of physical therapy provided in the child's home twice per week for 30 minutes each session.) It also contains goals for the child and family and describes how progress is measured and when and how data will be collected. In order to ensure that the plan is working, the IFSP must be reviewed at least every six months - more if requested by the parents. If necessary, the IFSP team will revise the plan following a review. The IFSP team does not have to meet formally at each 6 month review, but a formal IFSP meeting must occur at least once a year.

EI personnel may bring a draft copy of the IFSP to IFSP team meetings, but the draft IFSP must be open for discussion and parent input. Parents may find it helpful to ask that any draft IFSP be shared with the parents before the IFSP meeting. Having a copy of the draft can make things go faster at the IFSP meeting.

Every IFSP must include a statement of the child's current levels in each of the five developmental areas: (1) physical; (2) cognitive (thinking, learning, solving problems); (3) communicative; (4) social-emotional; and (5) self-help. If the family agrees, it must also include the results of a family assessment. The plan must include a statement of what results are expected from each service (called "outcomes"), ways to measure the child's progress, specific services that will be provided, the name of the service provider(s), and the location, frequency, and duration of services. The IFSP will also name the Service Coordinator who will be responsible for carrying out the child's IFSP. If the child is about to turn 3, the plan must also include a plan for transitioning to preschool services.

Additional Resources

• "How Do I Know Whether My Child's Early Intervention Program Is a Good One?" from Autism Speaks®