Home vs School 2
In Part 1 of this two-part discussion about miscommunication between home and school, we looked as some real-life examples of concerns expressed by a teacher and a parent. In today’s podcast, we will look at some options for dealing with less-than-perfect teamwork and communication between parents and school professionals.
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Option 1: Casual Conversation. The most direct solution to miscommunication is, of course, talking directly to the other person in an effort to clarify issues and address concerns. Sometimes we jump to conclusions and make assumptions about the other person’s opinions or another party’s actions. Just taking time to visit with the other party can clear up any misconceptions.
Option 2: Official Meeting. Sometimes the most productive forum is a meeting between teacher and parents, either a parent conference or an ARD meeting. Everyone can express their concerns and hear the other party’s viewpoint during the meeting. This can lead to reaching a consensus or, at the very least, to clarify misunderstandings and find some areas of agreement.
Option 3: Agree to Disagree. Even when both “sides” have the best intentions, parents and teachers may simply have disparate perspectives or they operate from different frames of reference. Because of their life experiences, teachers and parents can have different perceptions about the youngster, about autism, or about the most effective methods of addressing various issues. I also see that parents and school professionals do not always have a clear idea of the day-to-day challenges encountered by the other person – challenges that can be barriers to being a “picture perfect” parent or educator.
In the best case scenario, parents or teachers open lines of communication and make every effort to resolve differences so all can move forward in the best interest of the youngster. But, in the event of a communication breakdown leading to an impasse, the time and energy of parents or of teachers might be best spent focusing on the following: (1) avoid expressing frustration through public criticism and destructive gossip, (2) slowly build a positive rapport with the other party through casual conversation and interaction, and (3) focus on developing effective strategies to address IEP goals in order to maximize the potential and enhance the quality of life of the youngster in your own arena, i.e. home or school.
TIP FOR THE DAY. Although we must make every effort to keep open clear lines of communication, sometimes we must simply accept the reality of different viewpoints, and focus on the needs of the student rather than feuding with the other party to their face or behind their back.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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