The "Everything" Binder

I keep copies of all Chelsea's files in binders organized by school year, blogged about it HERE. But, I found it really burdensome to haul around several different binders, so made a "Chelsea Binder" that I can bring to any appointment and have exactly what I need in there. 

In a Nutshell

Most doctors/ therapists want the same thing, so I include COPIES (never originals!) of the following:

• Her birth certificate 
• Her social security card
• Her most current IEP
• Her most recent OT/ PT/ speech evaluations
• Most recent EEG results, DEXA scans, etc. (any evaluation you get done, but only the most recent)

I also include:

• Business card organizer with all the contact information for all doctors, therapists, special ed lawyers/ advocates,  schools, etc!
• A chart of all her previous schools attended
• A chart of all her diagnoses, date of diagnosis, and where/ who diagnosed her with what
• A chart of previous tests/ evaluations
• A chart of hospital visits, therapy centers, etc.
• Samples of her artwork by year
• Samples of school work by year

Okay, that is a lot! Let me break it down a little more:

The EssentialsGet a COPY of your child's birth certificate and social security card. If you want to apply for Medicaid, Social Security or anything like that, they will want those documents. Or if you call to update information, they want the social security number RIGHT THEN, and if you don't have it, they put you back on hold for who knows how long. 

The IEP

I sectioned out Chelsea's IEP for two reasons. First, it is a 32 page document, and there is no way I would ever be able to fit 32 pages into one sheet protector. 

Second, it makes it easier to quickly locate specific goals or bits of the IEP I need to reference. I put a sticky note on the front of each section as a miniature "table of contents". 

Evaluations/ Tests

Again, only put in the most recent copies. If you have had a neuropsychological evaluation done every 3 years, only put in the one completed most recently because it is the most up to date.

This section could include things like:

• Occupational therapy evaluations
• Speech therapy evaluations
• Physical therapy evaluations
• DEXA scan results
• EEG or MRI scan results
• Medication- what brand of what med, dosage, when administered
• Genetic lab results
• Blood panels 
• Specialist reports (neuro/ neuropsych/ endocrinologist/ craniofacial)

I really love Calvin and Hobbes!

Remembering Everyone

With special needs parenting, you meet a LOT of professionals. Doctors, therapists, advocates, teachers, aides, lawyers, specialists, the list goes on and on. 

I was always kicking myself, trying to remember who I talked to and when and how to contact them again. Now, I just ask for a business card, and stick it into the business card organizer I got from Walmart. If I need to, I can write on the back where I met them or any other notes. 

Charts

I love, love, LOVE charts. It makes everything so easily accessible! Some of the charts I use:

1. A School Chart 

School Name       Address           Phone        Dates Attended

2. Diagnosis Chart

Diagnosis         Date Diagnosed       Who Diagnosed Her 

3. Previous Tests/ Evaluations (list them all!)

Test         Date         Doctor           Results

EEG#1    01/01        Dr. Brain       Complex partial seizures

DEXA      04/01        Dr. Bones      Osteopenia 

EEG #2   01/04        Dr. Brain       Same results as before

4. Facilities Used Chart (hospitals, therapy centers, etc)

Facility Name      When Visited      Purpose

Big Hospital         02/01                  Dental extraction and sedation

Therapy Center    01/01-01/06       Speech and Occupational Therapy 

Samples to See Progress

I love seeing how much Chelsea has progressed and developed over the years! I started pulling a sample of her artwork and school work each year so I can see how far she has come. It makes me feel like all of our hard work has paid off. I include samples of her handwriting in the school work section.