Education Records
There will be many records to keep during your child's school years. Keep a record of:
- Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) from early intervention programs
- Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
- Letters to and from school staff
- Report cards from before and after the injury
- Evaluation reports from school staff
- Notes and dates of all school-related meetings
- Reports from your child's doctor, rehabilitation specialists, neuropsychologists, or consultants about your child's educational needs, abilities, and difficulties
- Names, addresses, phone numbers of school personnel
- Educational materials about the consequences of brain injury
Special Interests and Job Skills
Collect copies of your child's:
- High school transcript
- Reports from vocational assessments
- Letters of recommendation
- Volunteer experience
- Part-time and/or full-time work history
- Names, addresses, phone/fax numbers of contact people
It is never too soon to start thinking about your child's special interests and skills and where they may lead your child in the future.
General Information
Keep a record of:
- Special achievements and memorable moments
- Photos of your child before and immediately after the injury
- Photos of your child near each anniversary date of the injury
TIP: Photos and a diary are reminders of your child's progress, and they help insurance staff and case managers see your child as a person.
It is a good idea to keep a phone log (view the sample telephone log). Each time you speak to a doctor, therapist, insurer, service provider, or school employee, write down when you spoke, what you talked about, what the result was, and what happens next. This sounds like a lot of paperwork, but it will be worth it in the long run.