Comments on: Explaining WHY We Ask So Many Questions

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 20:40:02 +0000

So well said, Jeff! I just love what you said about having a caring person behind the questions – makes a huge difference!

By: Jeff Mullins

Jeff Mullins — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 14:39:30 +0000

I appreciated this post as well, Dana. You raise some good points. I particularly agree with the idea of having an open-ended conversation, not an interview. I liken it to authentic assessment as we get a much more holistic picture of the child by observing them in an open-ended, unstructured forum and are able to glean most of, if not all, the information we need. I also really like your idea, David, of checking in with families as you ask as merely showing interest in how they feel can soften some of that skepticism they have over the questions themselves. When they realize there is a caring person behind the questions, they are more likely to engage and answer more of what we ask. I guess it all goes back to that relationship.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 18:13:18 +0000

In reply to David Munson.

Thanks, David. I really love what you said about families needing to start “doing something” from the beginning rather than simply answering questions. That collaborative, reciprocal relationship in which the parent is an active participant absolutely can begin from the first contacts and the first visits. Passively answering questions is not active participation! Thanks for also adding the point about letting parents know they can opt out of sharing any info. That is so important for parents to know!

By: David Munson

David Munson — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 18:03:11 +0000

Dana, you are willing to tackle tough subjects and wade into real-life challenges and issues for frontline early interventionists. Thank you! As our agency has moved to family-centered practices over recent years these challenges have risen to meet us face-on. The 45 day timeline is a pressure on staff but is meaningless to a family who is only concerned about their child….and their family pressures.

It is important to balance the need for gathering rich information for a quality IFSP with the need from most families to start “doing something” instead of simply asking questions. It seems the most sensitive part of building a relationship in quick order is to ask frequently, especially if there is a sense of frustration, how the person is feeling about these questions, offering again the fact they do not need to share anything they’re uncomfortable with, and reassuring them that evidence-based practices in early intervention show these questions will lead to better outcomes for their child and family. In other words, bear with us and the result will be worth it!