This is a working blog however please change the 'title' of your blog. You need to go to the drop down next to the pencil, (looks like a lined piece of paper) go to template and then layout and then edit.
This is a very strong advocacy topic, and one that should generate a large number of followers. There are so many issues here that it is difficult to know where to start first. But here goes. I would like to comment on the topic of parent reactions. If the teacher or administrator does not handle this situation with kid gloves, they can risk not only negatively impacting and losing the family, but also jeopardizing the child from receiving much needed services. This would truly be a lose, lose situation.
My oldest child was diagnosed with a hearing impairment at age 2. When parents are faced with news like this, it can be very devastating at first. They go through stages of denial, guilt and confusion even after they come to accept the fact that the child needs special help. What the parent in fact is dealing with has nothing to do with the child, but really everything to do with them. I learned that if it is allowed, pride can not only paralyze the parent from doing anything, (because of how think that they and their child will be perceived by others). Worse yet, pride can keep the child from participating in very time-sensitive services. Typically in the case of early intervention, that age out at 3 years of age.
It can be helpful to have someone that has a child with exceptions/special needs to be the one to talk with the parent to show empathy that others may not have, and to help the parents channel their energies productively. Walking the parent with hand in hand through every step of the process, and then reassuring them that you will be there as an advocate until the child gets the help that is needed will mean more to that parent than anything else that you can do, and will be remembered for years to come. That parent could turn out to be the biggest advocate for the school and its teachers after such an experience. It may be time consuming at first, but well worth it for everyone in the long haul!!
This is a working blog however please change the 'title' of your blog. You need to go to the drop down next to the pencil, (looks like a lined piece of paper) go to template and then layout and then edit.
ReplyDeleteRegina:
ReplyDeleteThis is a very strong advocacy topic, and one that should generate a large number of followers. There are so many issues here that it is difficult to know where to start first. But here goes. I would like to comment on the topic of parent reactions. If the teacher or administrator does not handle this situation with kid gloves, they can risk not only negatively impacting and losing the family, but also jeopardizing the child from receiving much needed services. This would truly be a lose, lose situation.
My oldest child was diagnosed with a hearing impairment at age 2. When parents are faced with news like this, it can be very devastating at first. They go through stages of denial, guilt and confusion even after they come to accept the fact that the child needs special help. What the parent in fact is dealing with has nothing to do with the child, but really everything to do with them. I learned that if it is allowed, pride can not only paralyze the parent from doing anything, (because of how think that they and their child will be perceived by others). Worse yet, pride can keep the child from participating in very time-sensitive services. Typically in the case of early intervention, that age out at 3 years of age.
It can be helpful to have someone that has a child with exceptions/special needs to be the one to talk with the parent to show empathy that others may not have, and to help the parents channel their energies productively. Walking the parent with hand in hand through every step of the process, and then reassuring them that you will be there as an advocate until the child gets the help that is needed will mean more to that parent than anything else that you can do, and will be remembered for years to come. That parent could turn out to be the biggest advocate for the school and its teachers after such an experience. It may be time consuming at first, but well worth it for everyone in the long haul!!