As your child with learning problems grows up, you will need to find a succession of experts to help you on the journey. Setting up a Resource Notebook will help keep track of all those little pieces of paper and information.

This will be a two-part notebook. The first half is like an idea book, listing possible places to contact for referrals. The second half lists the actual people and groups that might be able to help your child.

1. Set up a 3-ring binder.

You will need:

• A three-ring binder at least 1-inch thick
• Plenty of three-hole blank paper
• A set of tab dividers (8-part tab dividers are handy.)

2. Label five tabs first.

These are places where you will look for the information you need:

• People
• Organizations
• Print/Publications
• Internet
• Other

3. Fill it with blank paper.

Put plenty of blank paper in each section, as well as some before the first tab.

Now you are ready to call people, contact organizations, consult print sources, or research on the Internet. As you collect leads on tutors, advocates, lawyers, doctors, or whoever you need to contact, you will need to store your notes from each call. That’s where the second half of your Resource Notebook comes in handy.

4. Add tabs as you conduct research.

Add new tabs in your Resource Notebook for the categories you need, such as tutors, schools, assessment, etc. You may, for example, have collected notes on three possible counselors, so make a tab called Counselors and file the papers behind the tab divider. Likewise, set up sections for doctors, tutors, schools, or whatever else your child needs. As you start calling people, take notes on separate pieces of paper. Store them by the new categories you just set up in the second half of your Resource Notebook.

5. Keep it handy.

Decide where to keep your notebook and have plenty of pens and pencils nearby. A natural place is near the phone. Take the notebook with you to meetings and seminars, because people will give you more ideas on who to contact.