ABC's of Healthcare

• Seek out professionals and parents who demonstrate concern for the child and your family through their actions.
• Learn your rights and the rights of your child regarding:

  service eligibility

  confidentiality and access to services

• Keep copies of all information you gather or provide.
• Develop a file of all material related to the child's medical and developmental needs and services they are receiving.
• If you are having difficulty accessing a professional:

  1. Let the professional know that you are having difficulty reaching them, and ask what to do to avoid delays.
  2. Discuss with the professional ways to reach them, as the need arises.

• Tell the professional you want and expect to be involved in decisions about the child.
• If a professional uses terms you do not understand, ask them to explain it again using simpler terms.
• Know about available resources for you and the child. Be specific with the child's case manager about the child's and family's needs.
• Write down points to be discussed, questions to be answered, and decisions to be made before attending any meetings.
• Be on time for all meetings. You may want to take notes of your discussion.
• You are the child's best advocate; collect information, stay involved, and participate.
• Make sure that all commitments include a target deadline and identify who is responsible to complete the task.
• Believe that all problems have solutions. Allow time to help. Don't give up.

* Adapted from A Parent's Guide to Accessing Parent Groups, Community Services, and Keeping Records, National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities.