Chapter 15 Parent and Family Involvement ParentalProfessional Collaboration

Chapter 15 Parent and Family Involvement

Parental-Professional Collaboration n Parents and families n n n Provide developmental information Have the right to be involved Advocate for services Reinforce school programs Professionals n n Provide information Training Diagnostic evaluations Advocacy

Developing Partnerships Create a family-friendly environment n Communicate frequently n Provide information in lay person’s language n Encourage parental input n

Supporting Families from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds Use nonbiased assessments n Examine one’s own attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors n Consider culture, language, and life experiences n Break down the barrier of professional as expert n

Instruments and Strategies Choose instruments in the primary language n Use interpreters to discuss results n Use sensitive, caring communication n

Qualities of Effective Communicators Show respect for parents’ knowledge, opinions, concerns, and advocacy n Maintain a nonjudgmental attitude n Empathy is the ability to see the world from another’s perspective n Listener’s work diligently to understand n Paraphrase, question, and summarize n Respond to affect with same intensity n

Interviewing Parents and Families Purpose of the meeting n Special accommodations (interpreter) n Open-ended questions n Outline of the meeting n Establish rapport n Delay decision making n Non-threatening in content and approach n Opportunities to ask questions n

Interpreting and Reporting Information Summarize interview information n Confidentiality n Educational planning and placement n