Personal Narrative: My Collaboration Experience

I have communicated with my family several times since my first visit. I have seen them in person for my ECSE visits, talked to B on the phone a couple of times, and texted B on several occasions. The family wanted me to do my second visit during their morning “hanging out” time. I went on a Monday, so M was in school. B and X were in the living room playing with X’s turtles and watching TV. J joined us shortly after I arrived. B told me that she and X have started doing a craft every day. X used to have a hard time sitting during meals, so a couple of months ago, the family purchased a child-sized table and chairs for him and one for M. X’s table has Ninja Turtles on it and he really likes it. He now sits at it during meals and uses

This team is comprised of a Services Coordinator (SC) physical therapist (PT), occupational therapist (OT), speech/language pathologist (SLP), and an ECSE teacher. The family began working with the EI team about 18 months ago. B first found out about EI when I met her while she was working at the school’s summer program. She told me about her concerns with X. B said that they were currently traveling to another town to for therapy for him and that it was extremely difficult for the entire family. Once X qualified for EI, B and J were able to stop making the trips out of town for therapy. B told me that the collaboration with the EI team has been positive because the providers come to their home which allows X to remain in the environment where he is most comfortable. B also said that the EI team really listened to J and her and valued their input regarding X. She talked about how two team members came to their house early in the process and asked her all about the family’s day and discussed which parts of the day were most difficult. She said that she and J were able to decide which goals would be most helpful for X and their