Working With Challenging Parents of Students With Special Needs

by Jean Cheng Gorman

• ISBN13: 9780761939283
• ISBN10: 0761939288
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781483360553
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-03-12
• Publisher: Corwin Pr
• More Book Details

Summary

Move beyond conflict to true collaboration with difficult parents of children with special needs by understanding their perspectives and using appropriate methods to address their concerns!

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Dedication

1. Generating Alliances…not Lawsuits

Gaining Cooperation

Developing Alliances

Being Empathic

Communicating Well

Communicating Poorly

Staying Out of Court

Keeping Your Focus

Reflecting on Your Teaching

Summary

2. Dealing with Anger

Entering The Conflict Stage

Understanding Anger

Being Aware of Cultural Differences in Anger

Dealing with The Openly Angry Parent

Dealing with The Parent Who Is Always Angry

Dealing with The Narcissistic Parent

Ensuring Your Safety

Main Principles for Dealing with Anger

Other Strategies for Dealing with Anger

What to Avoid

Dealing with Anger ... Yours

Going Beyond Anger

Reflecting on Your Teaching

Summary

3. Dealing with Denial

Understanding Denial

Discriminating Between Denial and Defensiveness

Dealing with Differences of Opinions

Knowing When Denial is Harmful (and When It Is Not)

Main Principles for Dealing with Denial

Other Strategies for Dealing with Denial

What to Avoid

Going Beyond Denial

Reflecting on Your Teaching

Summary

4. Dealing with Dissatisfaction

Recognizing the Context of Dissatisfaction

Understanding Dissatisfaction

Responding When Parents Reject the Individual Education Plan (IEP)

Coping with the Consequences of Dissatisfaction

Handling Mediation and Due Process Hearings

Main Principles for Dealing with Dissatisfaction

Other Strategies for Dealing with Dissatisfaction

Working with Advocates

What to Avoid

Going Beyond Dissatisfaction

Reflecting on Your Teaching

Summary

5. Dealing with Nonparticipation and Resistance

Sharing Teachers' Views

Discerning Noninvolvement Versus Nonparticipation

Understanding Nonparticipation

Understanding Nonparticipation of Parents of Adolescents

Being Sensitive to Concerns of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Parents

Main Principles for Dealing with Nonparticipation and Resistance

Suggestions for Increasing Parent Participation in Transition Planning

Other Strategies for Dealing with Nonparticipation

Other Strategies for Dealing with Resistance

What to Avoid

Going Beyond Nonparticipation and Resistance

Reflecting on Your Teaching

Summary

6. Dealing with Mistrust

Recognizing The Value of Trust

Understanding Mistrust

Acknowledging Other Reasons for Parental Mistrust

Agreeing on an Individual Transition Plan (ITP)

Preventing Mistrust

Main Principles for Dealing with Mistrust

Other Strategies for Dealing with Mistrust

What to Avoid

Going Beyond Mistrust

Reflecting on Your Teaching

Summary

7. Working with Nontraditional Families

Working with Grandparents

Working with Noncustodial Parents

Working with Foster Parents

Working with Homeless Families

Working with Families Where You Suspect Child Abuse or Neglect

Reflecting on Your Teaching

Summary

8. Cultivating Collaborative Relationships

Resolving Your Reservations

Applying Cultural Considerations

Starting at the Beginning

Maintaining the Relationship

Passing the Torch

Promoting a Family-Friendly School

Being Realistic

Reflecting on Your Teaching

Summary

References

Table 1.1 Effective Communication Skills

Table 1.2 Poor Communication Skills

Table 2.1 Safety Tips for Teachers Meeting with Parents

Resource A. Welcome Letter

Resource B. Communication Log

Resource C. Letter to Parents of Older Elementary Students

Resource D. Letter to Parents of Adolescents

Resource E. Parent Observation Sheet

Resource F. Back-to-School Letter

Resource G. Responsibilities of Team Members

Resource H. Intake Conference Letter

Resource I. Conference Summary Sheet

Resource J. Additional Resources