Being a Special Education teacher in the past, I have learned that it is essential to be as supportive as possible to parents who have children that are a part of the Special Education system.

A teacher should view parents whose children are apart of the Special Education system as equivalent cohorts and be able to communicate information relating to their child without any hesitation.

Parents Are Vital To Special Education, AND Teachers Are Too

Parents are very much an essential part of their child’s academic success – they should not ever feel that their thoughts aren’t valid, albeit they may not offer the professional knowledge which educators do.

Communication

Quite frequently, by just providing parents with clear-cut information regarding their child parents are placed in a much better position to ensure their child’s success!

For Example;

Quite a few parents aren’t aware that an in-person meeting can be a challenge in many ways. An alternative could be, phone meetings. This conference call is an alternate route to hold meetings promptly if a parent cannot physically attend a scheduled meeting.

It is also important to keep in mind that the process is quite emotional for parents.

Once a parent realizes their child requires Special Education or related services, they have already gone through numerous personally challenging ups and downs.

Frequently, coming to terms with the fact that their child has a learning disability is the most challenging part.

Not only that, but a parent sometimes can feel that their child’s learning deficiencies are their fault.

Also, they may be experiencing family condemnation regarding the fact that their child is a part of the Special Education system amongst a lot of other problems.

Teachers ought to think the absolute best about every parent, even when sometimes conversations between teachers and parents may become tense.

Proactive

Another way a teacher can be supportive towards a parent whose child is a part of the Special Education system is by having the school be proactive and ensure all is being done to make the procedure much less stress-free for parents, provided how high the risks are.

Methods Such As;

• Email Communication
• Sending A Note Home With The Student
• Mailing A Note To The Parents
• Texting With Parents

These examples may be the best method to adapt to a parent’s hectic schedule.

Innovative Thinking

Sometimes, introducing a parent with a child who is a part of Special Education to another parent whose child is a part of a Special Education can help.

The options are infinite relating to creating a positive relationship with the parent. This is only the case if all involved are active participants in the process and remain open-minded.

If educators promise to collaborate with parents, and parents promise to collaborate with educators, it is almost definite that there will be more positive results for students who are a part of the Special Education system.

Students that have learning disabilities present parents and educators with the invaluable opportunity to grow.

When and if parents with children who a part of Special Education and Educators working with students who are a part of Special Education embrace these opportunities, we are sure to see the best out of students in Special Education and these students will continue to thrive.

What ways have you been able to better open the lines of communication?