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4 Practical Strategies To Strengthen Relationships With Special Needs Student's Family

8th October 2024

We all know parents are the first teachers of children’s life. But, in special education, very few teachers engage students’ parents in their education journey.

However, these parents-student partnerships have gradually shifted from a focus on "parental involvement," which primarily entailed one-way communication and volunteering, to a more collaborative model.

In this model, families and educators actively engage in meaningful exchanges, fostering relationships that support a child’s education journey. This approach not only broadens interactions but also encourages intentional information exchange, purposeful interaction, and significant participation from both sides.

These partnerships create a supportive network that benefits the educational experience and personal development of children. Those teachers who have pursued courses like special Education Courses for teachers, knows it really well.

If you also want to learn some of the practical strategies for building relationships and partnerships with special needs students, then keep reading further!

4 Practical Strategies For Building & Strengthening Relationships with Special Needs Students

1. Prepare for Partnership

Building a strong partnership between families and educators starts with intentional preparation. It’s important to acknowledge that many individuals on both sides may not have been adequately trained for this kind of collaboration. Special need teachers, service providers, and administrators often get information about engagement requirements, like those outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), but practical experience in family-professional engagement is typically lacking.

Similarly, families might not have the necessary knowledge and skills to participate in their children’s active educational activities unless they already have a background in education. This gap makes preparation even more crucial. Families and educators can benefit from consulting resources designed to facilitate engagement.

2. Embrace Mutual Competence

A key element of a successful partnership is the recognition and appreciation of mutual competence. This means acknowledging the unique expertise that both families and educators bring to the table. Professionals may possess mastery over educational systems and processes, but families contribute crucial insights into their child's specific needs and community context.

To fully embrace mutual competence, it's vital to value the contributions of both parties equally. Resources developed by the NCSI (National Center of Systematic improvement) like "Three Circles of Evidence-Based Decision Making in Early Childhood" and for students with disabilities, use familiar terminology to help break down the concept.

These tools highlight the importance of integrating the wisdom and values from both families and professionals in decision-making processes. By embracing mutual competence, partnerships can create a more holistic approach to supporting student success.

3. Assume Good Intentions

A cornerstone of fostering thriving family-educator partnerships is the principle of assuming positive intentions. Picture this: both families and educators fundamentally aim for what’s best for the children, this is their common ground.

When conflicts arise or miscommunications occur, it’s crucial to take a step back and remember that everyone is dedicated to the child's well-being. Parents bring invaluable personal insights about their children, while educators contribute their expertise in educational systems and learning strategies.

This concept, adapted from respected parent-professional mentors like Victor Bernstein, encourages a positive outlook. Here’s how to put it into practice:

• Embrace empathy: Before responding defensively, consider the other party's perspective. This approach can transform a potentially confrontational situation into a collaborative effort.
• Open your real eyes: Seeing the circumstances clearly allows both educators and families to act in the child's best interest, fostering a more supportive environment.

When both sides expect positive intentions, it sets a tone of mutual respect, reducing friction and enhancing collaboration.

4. Transitioning Partnership to the Next Generation

As children grow, the nature of family-educator partnerships should evolve to support their increasing independence. During middle and high school years, it's vital to shift gears and prepare students to take more responsibility for their educational journey. This transition doesn't mean families step back completely, rather, they can model and encourage collaboration and communication skills that are essential for navigating adulthood.

For families, this could mean:

• Encouraging shared decision-making between your child and educators, fostering a sense of ownership over their education.
• Filling in knowledge gaps by sharing insights about your child with educators and helping your child understand the educational processes they are encountering.

For educators, this involves:

• Recognizing the family’s evolving role and supporting parents as they gradually transfer responsibilities to their children.

By staying engaged and serving as guides rather than directors, families and educators together can instill confidence and independence in young adults, preparing them to tackle future challenges head-on.

Final Thoughts

Fostering strong partnerships with families is essential for creating a supportive and collaborative educational environment. By pursuing courses like special education courses for teachers, focusing on intentional preparation, educators and families can better equip themselves for these partnerships, despite the lack of training in family-professional engagement.

Remember, establishing and nurturing these partnerships takes effort from both sides, but the rewards for our children and communities are well worth it. Let’s keep the conversation going, which of the above strategies have you found effective in building strong family-professional partnerships? Feel free to share in the comments below!

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Written By: Bindita Sinha