Ecomap for Austin's Family - Mount Sinai Hospital

Early InterventionTraining Centerfor Infants and Toddlers WithVisual ImpairmentsModule:Family-Centered Practicesfor Infants and Toddlers With Visual ImpairmentsSession 3: Support-Based Early Interventionand Developing EcomapsHandout AEcomap for Austin’s FamilyEIVI Training Center. (2003). Ecomap for Austin’s family. Chapel Hill, NC: EarlyIntervention Training Center for Infants and Toddlers With Visual Impairments,FPG Child Development Institute, UNC-CH.This ecomap is a graphic portrayal of the informal, formal, and intermediate supportsfor Austin and his parents. Their names are in a rectangle in the center of theecomap. Above this rectangle is a row of rectangles that represent the informalsupports of the family. Rectangles below the immediate family’s rectangle representformal supports, while rectangles on either side of the immediate family representintermediate supports.FCP Module 9/22/04Session 3 Handout AEIVI-FPG Child Development Institute Page 1 of 2UNC-CH

Early InterventionTraining Centerfor Infants and Toddlers WithVisual ImpairmentsThe first two informal supports depicted at the top are maternal and paternalgrandparents, with bold lines connecting them to the immediate family. The boldlines represent strong, supportive relationships. A rectangle depicting the mother’ssiblings is joined to the immediate family’s rectangle with a medium line,representing a supportive relationship.Below the immediate family’s rectangle are rectangles that represent the family’sformal supports. Dotted lines connect the rectangle for the endocrinologist, who isseen every 3 months, suggesting a stressful relationship. The pediatric neuroophthlamologist,who is seen every 6 months, is connected to the family with bothmedium and dotted lines, suggesting both a supportive and a stressful relationship.Medium lines suggesting supportive relationships are used to connect rectangles forthe pediatrician, seen every 3 to 5 months, and the TVI, who is the case manager.The physical therapist and occupational therapist provide weekly support, and theirrectangles are connected to the immediate family with medium lines, suggestingsupportive relationships.The mother’s work colleagues are depicted in a rectangle to the right of theimmediate family with a medium line, representing a supportive relationship.FCP Module 9/22/04Session 3 Handout AEIVI-FPG Child Development Institute Page 2 of 2UNC-CH