Which statement best describes the child's participation in service planning meetings?

• A. The child should never participate
• B. The child must be invited and should participate and provide input
• C. The child always leads the meeting
• D. The child is excluded from discussion

Answer: (B)

Inviting the child to service planning meetings and giving them the opportunity to participate and provide input ensures their voice helps shape the plan and outcomes. This approach recognizes the child’s own needs and preferences and helps tailor services, supports, and placements to fit them. The best choice reflects that the child must be invited and should participate and provide input. Participation should be age-appropriate, with the team listening to the child’s preferences when discussing goals, services, and placement. The child leading every meeting or being excluded is not consistent with this practice; the child’s role is to contribute input within a collaborative planning process.