If you look at the upper right hand portion of your copy of the IFSP you will note a box that contains the “services key”. This key provides a list of the abbreviations for the services that could be offered to a child/family as part of the grid. Next to the abbreviations there is the actual term for each abbreviation. As an example the key includes “CO” for the service counseling. Your child’s grid is required to include “CM” for case management services. Please note that the key contains two different abbreviations (SST and ST) that are easily confused with each other. To clarify “SST” is specialized skills training and “ST” is speech therapy. SST services are provided by an Early Intervention Specialist. ST services are provided by a speech-language pathologist. If a child is receiving SST and CM services as the only ongoing services, our program is required to add a visit to the grid. This service, "RA" for reassessment, must be provided at least twice a year. The visit is provided by one of the disciplines designated in state rules as the LPHA (Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts). LPHA disciplines include physical, occupational, speech therapists as well as counselors. The grid may list the services case CM as needed and SST 4 x month. There will be one additional service on the grid that will be provided by the LPHA. Since the majority of children referred for ECI are referred for delayed speech and language skills, the additional service will often be ST 2 x year. The purpose of a LPHA service is to assess each child’s individual strengths and needs and to determine the appropriate services necessary to meet those needs. The provider of the LPHA service for your child will review all current services as well as evaluate your child’s development in order to determine if recommendations for changes to the IFSP are needed. It is the frequency of the service that will tell you if that is an LPHA service as opposed to a service provided much more frequently.    

If you have concerns or questions about your child’s ECI services, please discuss your concerns/questions with your service coordinator and/or ECI provider. You are also encouraged to call Linda Tapia, Executive Director of Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center at 210-614-3911. She can also be contacted by email at linda.tapia@easterseals-satx.org.     

Looking for a family-friendly, safe environment to introduce your child to the tradition of Trick-or-Treating while practicing their requesting skills? Join us on October 7th here at Easter Seals!  The event is free, but registration is required so we can prepare the best experience for all attending. Space is limited and registration will be done on a first come, first served basis.

Thinking Outside the Box Workshop

Thank you to those who attended the Make & Take workshop in July. We loved learning about your children and seeing the positive interactions you all shared of them playing with the toys you made. Look for more caregiver workshops through our Family Engagement Initiative in early 2023!