tives should be clear. Make sure you
understand start date(s), how long
services are offered, and the pro-
cedures involved. If your child
is not progressing toward a goal
as you had hoped, ask how this
will be addressed, or if a goal
should be revised. If you want
more frequent updates on prog-
ress during the school year, you can
request additional updates. If you think
something else might help your child, come prepared to discuss
it. Write down any proposed changes to the IEP and any infor-
mation you would like to add.
Tip #4 – Invite additional people to the IEP meet-
ing if you want them there and think they can contribute.
An IEP meeting takes a “team” approach to helping your child.
Take the initiative to invite individuals who have relevant
knowledge or expertise regarding your child (such as, family
members, coaches, community support workers, social work-
ers, attorneys, advocates, etc.). Let the school team know ad-
ditional people will attend the meeting.
Tip #5 – Strive to build a healthy working rela-
tionship with the school, treatment providers, and the en-
tire IEP team. Developing healthy and professional relation-
ships with the school and treatment providers can help your
child. Be open to discussing issues
promptly, directly, honestly and cour-
teously. Ask questions and listen care-
fully to answers. This will allow you to
respond appropriately and avoid misun-
Warning Signs that may indicate a feeding disorder:
derstandings.
Is meal time a struggle at your house?
Summit’s Pediatric Feeding Clinic can HELP!
About the Episcopal Center for Children
The Episcopal Center for Children
(Center) is a nonprofit, nondenomina-
tional school and treatment program
for children contending with emotional
challenges from the greater Washing-
ton, D.C. metropolitan area. Accredited
by the Joint Commission, the Center
serves children who are 5-14 years old
in grades K-8. The goal of the Center’s
treatment, therapeutic milieu, and indi-
vidualized special education program
is to empower each child to function
productively within his or her family
and community. Building on strengths
within children, the Center partners
with families in treatment and focuses
on enabling its students to access and
become their best possible selves. More
information is available at eccofdc.org.
End The
Family
Food Fight!
n Food refusal
n Food selectivity
n Gagging, vomiting,
difficulty swallowing,
and/or choking during meals
n Continuously spitting out
food or holding food in the
mouth
n Failure to eat
age-appropriate textures
n Concern about aversive
Accepting
NEW
PATIENTS
Most insurance plans
accepted.
consequences of eating
n Failure to meet
nutritional/energy needs
n Feeding tube dependency
Call 629-3400 for more information and to schedule an appointment.
www.TheSummitCenter.org
January 2019 WNY Family 47