Comments on: A Priority or a Concern – What’s the Difference and Why it Matters

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 14:20:45 +0000

I hope this helps you, Vanessa! I think moving the discussion from concerns to priorities should be pretty seamless so that the families don’t really know that it’s happening. Keep me posted on how it goes when using these questions with your families!

By: Vanessa Ortiz

Vanessa Ortiz — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 15:08:14 +0000

Thank you for this! I liked how it was very clear and to the point. I am working of learning the right questions to ask to switch to priorities. Like you mentioned, the concerns are what drive the families to get EI. To then narrow it to priorities is a challenge. I will for sure use some of the example questions you have to help when working with families to make new goals.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 15:58:11 +0000

In reply to Lauren.

Fantastic point, Lauren! Yes, really understanding the priority leads to better outcomes and more appropriate service decisions. It’s not just word smithing…it matters!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 15:35:37 +0000

I also think that helping to differentiate a priority vs. a concern can guide service recommendations and improve the family’s overall outcomes. There may be concerns in multiple areas of development, but identifying which is their priority will allow for better selection of a primary service provider, and hopefully better support for that specific family and child.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 23:20:26 +0000

In reply to Ryan.

Thanks Ryan! What’s been your experience with this? Are you able to learn about the family’s priority during the intake or does it typically emerge later, like during the assessment or IFSP meeting?

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 15:07:57 +0000

I really appreciate this wonderful reminder. You painted two concise pictures of the differences between a family’s concern and a family’s priority for the future of their child, that made this thought very simple to adopt and to share. Thank you.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 15:51:53 +0000

In reply to Beth Tolley.

Thanks Beth! It is a slightly different but important (I think) way of looking at the info we gather from families. 🙂

By: Beth Tolley

Beth Tolley — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 15:13:13 +0000

Brilliant! Simple but profound! Dana, I think you’ve identified another key to making early intervention outcomes (and consequently services) more relevant and meaningful! Thank you!

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 12:20:45 +0000

In reply to Amy Cocorikis.

Great to hear from you, Amy! I always love to hear the insights your SCs share with you so keep me posted! So glad you found the post useful!

By: Amy Cocorikis

Amy Cocorikis — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 11:51:49 +0000

Great article! We have our monthly staff training with a group of about 60 Service Coordinators today and I can’t wait to share/discuss. These statements stayed with me – “Turning to priorities reframes the discussion to become more individualized, more positive, and more functional. Priorities are descriptions of what life would be like for a child and family if things got better. Priorities reflect the family’s vision for the child’s development. Priorities are the foundation for individualized, functional IFSP outcomes.” Thanks, Dana!