The Paper Trail

[Linda on the move]

What do you keep to document what is going on with your child? Do you have a file? A notebook? How is it organized? A summary sheet of doctors and therapists?

I need to do something, but I'm fuzzy on what. For years we homeschooled and I never worried about it, and that fact that I never kept a paper trail is kind of a big deal, so I'm creating one now (official tests and such) but I'm not sure what all to keep (school samples?) or how to oranize it.

Thanks!

[askew]

I have a 3 ring binder with dividers that are also folders. Super convenient when you can't get to organizing right away. Then I have a section for each of DDs specialists, one for each therapy, Early Intervention, and one for insurance. I have the contact info for the specialist etc printed on the divider. I 3 hole punch and stick all correspondence from that person/program in their section. I bring her binder with me to all Dr appts. It has been incredibly useful. I often have the documents one specialist wants from another and they can just copy mine instead of waiting for the info to come from another department.

[anj_rn]

I too have a three ring binder. Here is what is in my dividers:

Front pocket: Shot record, pending orders, prescriptions or referrals

1st Section - Over view of her condition & diagnoses, allergies, emergency contacts, med list, list of docs & therapists w/contact info.
Overview of her daily schedule
Baseline Neuro status, plastic container to hold business cards

2nd Section - PCP info - visit summaries, orders, growth chart, etc

3rd Section - Specialists info - reports from specialists, orders, etc

4th Section - Diagnostic tests - labs, eegs, diagnostic imaging

5th section - Therapists & Dietician Info

6th Section - DME & Nursing info

7th section Ins & everything els

Back flap - papers I have not filed yet.

Everything is filed in reverse date order with the newest thing on top.

[karne]

The only thing I have to add is that for my dd I try to keep a current sample of work-handwriting, math sheet, etc. because we are dealing with LD's, and I have found that it is nice to have a reference point.

I also use the binder system.

[Linda on the move]

Thanks! I'm going to start a notebook!

[marieangela]

I use multiple folders (with a rubberband holding them together). I have one for the pediatrician, one for the specialists and on for EI/therapists. She is only a year old, but quite a lot of paperwork has piled up.

[BookGoddess]

I have a 3 ring binder which has all of DD's lab tests and results. It's in reverse chronological order with the most recent at the front. I've also tabbed the various tests so I can find them easily.

I also have mutiple file folders full of articles that I've found helpful.

I'm putting together a quick cheat sheet list for DH so that, god forbid I drop dead, he knows what to do, where to go, who to call, etc.

I also have a separate folder for school and therapy matters.