Who are LEAD Foundation’s Child Development Specialists, and do I get a say in who works with my child?
YES, parents are required to meet potential Child Development Specialists (aide) after a prescreening process and initial interview have been completed by LEAD’s Human Resources Department. It is essential you believe your child and the aide will form a positive relationship. Once the Child Development Specialist has been met by the parent(s), LEAD Foundation will hire the aide, provide training and set a start date.
LEAD’s Child Development Specialists have many different backgrounds. Many of our Child Development Specialists have child and youth diplomas, bachelor programs, teaching degrees, or previous experience at a school, preschool or a special needs agency. We look for staff who have the “it” factor. They may have years of education or just hands on experience.
All staff at LEAD Foundation must have a Police Check, Child Welfare Check and reference checks done.
Staff are trained in play therapy, proper documentation, and strategies to increase success of your child, computer programs such as Boardmaker, or Writing with Symbols, Social Stories, policies and procedures and are strongly encouraged to attend professional development days monthly at LEAD, and elsewhere if beneficial.
Do I need to be with the Child Development Specialist and my child when they are at home?
You do not need to be directly involved with the Child Development Specialist and your child, but we encourage you to when you can. LEAD requires you/or other designate over 18 to be in the home for most/all of the session. Exceptions would be picking up a child from school, running to the bank, going to the corner store for milk etc. Please check with the program leader if you have specific questions about this.
What am I responsible for as a parent?
It is necessary that parents are available for team meetings; available to help create the IPP, ensure Child Development Specialists are working with your child as recorded on time sheets, and to indicate any questions, or concerns to the program leader. LEAD expects parents to be participants in their child’s programming.
Why is Play important?
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders may learn academic skills appropriately but their difficulty with the social nuances of the world will continue to set them apart. (Atwood, 1992 and Smith –Myles 2001) Play is vital to children’s learning. It is through play that we experience the world, learn social skills, and develop problem-solving skills. We will work with your child to help him/ her cope with the mysteries of the world.
What budget do we have for buying resources/toys for the program?
The materials/toys are bought by Lead Foundation and are lent out to Child Development Specialists and parents for use for your child. This lending library is held at the LEAD office and is a great benefit to your in -home program. We do encourage parents to buy art supplies, reinforces, and other items not found in the toy library if beneficial to your child’s program. Your team may recommend specific materials for your child. These requests will be determined on an individual basis.
What is the IPP?
The Individual Program Plan (IPP) is developed specifically for your child and focuses on long term and short-term goals. Your team ( parents, therapists, aide and program leader) creates and helps implement these goals. At LEAD we strive to make your child’s IPP easy to read and understandable. We pride ourselves on implementing parental and family goals first and foremost. You should have an IPP within the first 60 days of starting your program.
Can the aide take my child on an outing?
If your aide has a class 4 license and your signed permission, then yes the aide can take your child out. Most places do not charge for an aide but you would still be required to pay for your child. You will also need to pay for the cost of mileage as this is not included in the SS contract. Typically the cost for mileage is between .35-.42/km and this would be paid directly to the CDS.
Will there be days when I don’t have an aide?
We have monthly staff meetings at the office, usually the fourth Wednesday of each month. We may have a speaker in or one of the therapists will have a presentation. CDS’s also have Wellness Days (Mental Health Days) which they will notify you of at least one week in advance, sick days, and vacation time. If your CDS will be away from your program for a period of time we will do our best to have someone fill in. LEAD Foundation is closed the week between Christmas and New Years.
What will happen in the first couple of weeks?
Once we get your program up and running, the CDS will spend the first week or two just getting to know you as a family and developing that rapport with your child. Your program leader and therapists will also be coming out during that time to meet all of you.
If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to call.