What are your best practices for engaging parents of students with disabilities?

Tests, tests and more tests are not the way to go. Involve the parent from the start, listen to their perspective and that of the student. Your learn far more through listening.

One important point is what is the action item. Once parents have the information they are at a loss to determine the future course of action. As teachers we need to give them the guidelines

Agree, Lee Corless, test, test, and more tests are not the way to go. As a parent of a child with learning disabilities (one terrible name!) teachers saw nothing but the challenges. Their learning takes longer, more explicit instruction, with the use of smaller groups.

Absolutely! The first step I do is to build rapport with the students and their parents. Getting to know them and their needs is critical to building a relationship. Treat them like they are your family and genuinely interested in helping their children excel in what they are able to achieve.

Make the parents a partner in the child’s learning and development. If you do so there would be accountability and less pressure on the school faculty to address the matter separately for them. Also as part of inclusion involve the parents in all decision making sessions . Give them a patient hearing as being parents they are well aware of the extend of disabilities and also viable solutions to situations or challenges. Involve these parents to talk about disabilities to make the staff and children aware of the causes, remedies etc . You can have a column in your school newsletter written by one such parent/parents who can provide suggestions to young parents of differently abled children and this could be a social outreach program

Create an environment where students feel safe and know they have a voice. Listening is key and teaching self efficacy. Students learn not only through the curriculum put forth, but encourages them to be curious and creative in the learning process.

I believe establishing trust and rapport is actually the 1st step when working with parents and students. If there's no relationship building taking place than the students won't open up to allow staff to get to know them. Utilizing social emotional means to develop relationships shows students that you as a teacher cares. Love speaks thru Actions. Show families your sincere love for working with their children. This builds trust, thereby enhancing learning for the children.

Honest and timely feedback is the key to gaining the respect of parents, don't just focus on the academic elements, discuss the social element, all parents want to know their child is being accepted. Give suggestions on how they can help and always listen and act, where necessary, on their feedback.

Remember that these parents have likely had to fight for support for their child for a prolonged period of time. Their default setting is defence. They are used to fighting out of wanting what’s best for their child and therefore may come across as demanding or assertive early on in the relationship. Listen to the parent and reassure you have the same aligned goals for their child and put a clear pathway in place to achieve it. Communication as always is key.

First of all don't say the word disabled.. it takes all sorts to make the world and normal is just a point on the spectrum of different abilities. Open the world of music, dance and math to parents of children who are at points on the spectrum. The world is their oyster too.

Yes! Person centered planning and making sure the student is self advocating and has a voice in their planning. Utilizing technology and other resources to plan and create a vision for their success!

Build on setbacks and successes and improvise and adjust strategies as necessary. Stay optimistic and stay supple! Share objective bench marks and elevate the students strengths and areas of potential growth.

Absolutely correct. Parental reassurance plays a vital part in these students.If parents are encouraged they tend to have a more positive attitude in an otherwise stressful situation.

It's imperative to involve the parents with special needs children educational journey . The school community needs to , celebrate their achievements and milestones . Parent involvement is important on all levels ..parents send their best kids to school 🏫. School community with actively involved parents is the glowing key manifesting success for children .

Disability is diversity. Disability identity reflects grit, determination, power and creativity. Find networks and outlets for students to feel their personal growth and potential through meeting others who have forged their own path. Sharing stories and experiences elevates a student’s place and confidence in their community and an understanding of how to leverage their own skills and relationships to be successful.

In today's digital age, technology can significantly enhance the feedback process. Consider creating online surveys or feedback forms for parents' convenience and allow for anonymity. Explore communication apps or platforms for real-time feedback and questions. These tools improve convenience for parents and aid educators in data analysis. Embracing technology fosters an accessible, convenient feedback loop for continuous communication with parents of students with disabilities. However, it's vital to balance technology with culturally responsive personal interactions too. Understand the identities and backgrounds of the families in your school community and reflect on the best ways to support and include them in inviting and ways.

I agree with these points however I believe you also have to establish a trusted relationship with the student. When they know you are genuinely interested in learning about them and their success it makes this process much smoother for all parties involved. As a special erudition advocate I always ask the parents for an opportunity to speak with their child as I know it is important to get their perspective on what is happening as well as what they need. In addition, their idea of support and success can be very different than that of their parents.

I agree with the speaker’s points…additionally, and perhaps this ties into the idea of being an active listener and rapport-builder, demonstrate compassion! As an educational cons and trainer as well as the parent of a young adult with special needs, I know how difficult a job it is! Is it rewarding; yes it is! However, many of our parents want to take a more active role in the school community and to be more active with respect to their child’s goals and responsibilities but are truly tapped or burned out. Let’s be patient with the parent who arrives late to a meeting or perhaps misses the appointment altogether. Show compassion and respect to the parent who “doesn’t measure up” to typical expectations.

I'm not a traditionally trained teacher, much less a special education teacher. Things that worked for me; Respect and introductions. At the beginning of the year we made 2 posters. One poster was titled What Kind of Teacher Do I want? Everyone put their ideas and drawings down. Some of them said nice, listens to me. Help me understand The 2nd poster was Something I want the teachers to know about me. These were fun. I learned which students were shy, more outgoing and ways that helped them learn.