Paperwork

Re: Paperwork

KEEP IT ALL!

One thing I learned from all of Drew's stuff - you are going to need that stuff sometime in the future, believe me!

The best way I found to keep track of it all is to put it in notebooks and file it by dates. I have a notbook for each year and the years are broken down by month. I have a plastic sheet protector in the front of each months section. In there I have a list of the papers in that months section, with a little detail to help find things. I also have a long list in the front of the notebook, kinda like a table of contents, broken down by month. This list is very basic.

At some point, you will find that you will need to prove to the schools or doctors that something was done or that you requested it be done. All these papers are the only proof you have. Put EVERYTHING in writing and request copies of everything - signed and dated. When you write a letter, make sure that you ask for a signed and dated letter responding to your letter. I know it sounds like a bunch of work, but it will help later on. I can send you copies of the letter I have used for the schools, if you plan on sending her to public school.

Check out Wright's Law. It is a site devoted to special education. There is tons of information there, including sample letters and sample filing systems. There are also alot of yahoo SpEd groups. You might try checking those out, as well. Others parents who have been thru this will be a valuable resource on how to get things done and exactly how you need to proceed to get things accomplished.

So, yeah - sorry to tell you it's best to keep it all. But once you have it filed in the notebooks, it's really easy to keep it caught up and to find things when you need them. Let me know if you need any more help! I've been down this road a time or two, so I understand what it's like.

Re: Paperwork

I have a copy of each of the IEP's, as well as everything we have from his doctors regarding diagnosis. I keep it all filed with his immunizations records. I also have a computer file (word document) with all the dates and information of any problems at school, conversatios with teachers, etc.

Re: Paperwork

I have a filing folder cabinet for filing all of Michael's paperwork I have everything from 1999 to present. Since we homeschool, I don't have IEPs but I keep records of Michael's goals that I set for the year and records of his progress.