Be sure to visit our IFSP webpage to see how the Present Level statement fits into the IFSP process.
What is in the Present Level part of the IFSP?
You can think of the Present Level as the foundation of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). It describes the child’s current abilities and skills. It should paint a clear picture of how the child’s strengths and challenges across all areas of development affect their ability to participate in family and community life, including daily routines. The Present Level includes information about the different kinds of development areas.
- physical (reaching, rolling, crawling, and walking)
- cognitive (thinking, learning, solving problems)
- communication (talking, listening, understanding, gesturing)
- social-emotional (feeling secure, able to calm, playing with others)
- self-help (eating, dressing)
Some of the data will come from service providers, but information should also come directly from families, who are essential in making sure the Present Level is comprehensive and accurate.
What about parent input and sharing my concerns?
IFSP meetings are an important opportunity for parent participation. Parents have the right to bring questions, concerns, and ideas to the IFSP team meeting. When parents participate in decision-making, interventions are better aligned with their child’s needs. As a parent, this is your chance to make sure all of your child’s needs are considered. The family sets the priorities in the IFSP. As the child’s needs shift or change, the priorities in the IFSP can change.
How can I be prepared for the IFSP?
The family is the expert on their child. By thinking ahead and bringing notes to the IFSP meeting, they can make sure their voices and priorities are reflected.
To prepare for the IFSP, families can think about what their average day looks like. Consider when the child is happy and engaged, moments that are more challenging, and situations where the child is either more independent or more dependent.
It is also valuable to share the child’s likes, dislikes, and interests, since that information can be used to choose approaches that will truly engage the child. Families can also share what works well for their child, so everyone involved can use consistent approaches across home and community settings.
This preparation allows families to define their strengths, concerns, and priorities. You may identify other areas that may need support like sibling concerns or how to talk to relatives about a disability.
By sharing their knowledge and observations, families gain a clearer understanding of how their child is progressing toward outcomes and which skills or family routines need more support.
