Family Collaboration
Tips in Understanding Families
- Many families go through a variety of emotional responses to having a child with a disability and sometimes these stages of the grieving process can start all over again at natural transitions in the child's life (ex. turning 16 and not being able to drive). The stages include: discovery, denial, guilt or bargaining, anger, depression, and acceptance or coping.
- Many parents will know more about their child's disability than you do. Do not be intimidated by the amount of information they bring to the table. Instead use them as a resource.
- Meet with your parents before the school year starts
- Ask the parents about their expectations for their child and for your classroom
- Be open and honest
Collecting Starting Information
Child ProfileA helpful list for gathering information about the child at the beginning of the year or before the year starts.
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Parent Teacher Discussion GuideA helping guide for leading discussions with parents.
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Team Transition ToolThis tool is great for easing the transition to a new school.
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Maintaining Regular and Frequent Communications
Home-School Communication FormAn example of one type of home-school communication form.
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What kind of information should I gather?
Make sure to get both the home and school version of this information. Students may act differently in different environments. Remember not to reinvent the wheel. Talk to parents/family, past teachers, school social worker, school psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, adaptive PE teacher, community partners, etc. for things they've noticed and strategies that have worked and not worked.
- Likes
- Dislikes
- Habits
- Behaviors
- What upsets
- What calms