Are teachers and educational professionals being insensitive to your special needs child? Here's how to handle the situation with grace and turn it in your favor.
- Treat others the way you would like to be treated. This is a good rule in nearly every situation.
- Choose to react positively, no matter how someone communicates with you. Responding with anger, intimidation and threats may make it even more difficult to get your child the special needs resources to which he or she is entitled by law.
- Promote positive professional relationships that will help see you and your child through many challenging years of assessments, team meetings, medical treatment and classroom placements.
- Pay attention to body language. You can learn a lot by observing such cues as posture, eye contact, and facial expressions. Remember that your own body language, including good eye contact, a solid hand shake and signs of self confidence, may make a difference in how you are treated by professionals.
- Take the time to learn about your child’s disability, including the laws designed to protect him or her. Knowledge really is power.
- Set a good example, modeling appropriate behavior even when it’s tough to do so. You may just become an important catalyst for much-needed change.
- Seek professional support, including legal advice, if even your best efforts fail and communication breaks down.
For more helpful ideas, read: "Do You Hear What I Hear? Parents and Professionals Working Together for Children with Special Needs," by Janice Fialka, MSW, ACSW and parent of a teenager with special needs, and Karen C. Mikus, Ph.D.
Judy Winter is an award-winning journalist on disability issues and the recipient of the 2002 Exceptional Parent Award from the Michigan Federated Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children.