Working with Parents of Special Needs Children

Nicole Bernardino Inoc

If you are an educator of children with special needs, it could be more demanding than teaching normal children. Being a teacher of a special child, you should also know how to deal with their parents. It is equally important to know how to work with their guardians as it is important to teach the kids.

Working with the parents of children with special needs is not a simple job. It comes with many challenges that need to be addressed; otherwise, your job can be at stake. Below are some tips that will help you in knowing how to deal with them.

“Open Doors of Communication”

A teacher is the only source for parents to look into the daily school activities and performance of their child. The role of a teacher becomes more significant for children with special needs.

“Never Start a Discussion with Complaints”

Always start the communication with a greeting and never forget to praise their child. Tell them how extraordinary their child is, as every parent loves to listen to their child being praised. Always remember never to start a discussion with complaints. Being a successful teacher, you can also initiate the conversation with a funny short story about their child.

“Never Criticize the Behavior of a Child”

Being a teacher, you should never criticize the behavior of a child. It not only makes the child feel embarrassed but also makes the parents feel uncomfortable and self-conscious.

“Never Directly Ask For Medication”

Being an educator of a special child, never ask their parents directly to give their children any kind of medication, even if you think it is essential. It can make them worried and confused.

“Avoid Stereotyping”

Every child is different, with their own needs, and they need to be dealt with in their own way. Never make fun of a child’s disability or use inappropriate language. This can hurt the feelings of both the children and parents.

“Avoid Labeling”

A teacher should avoid labeling a child. Teachers who deal with special children usually have an understanding of the most common disabilities among the children; therefore, they should avoid labeling a child. Various disabilities among children have common traits. Never try to diagnose a child.

Every child is different. Your job as an educator of these special children comes with more responsibility and dedication. Special needs are a broader term, and most of the time, the parent seeks professional support from the teachers.

Teachers, while dealing with parents having special children, should stay patient and open the doors of communication to avoid misunderstanding. They should be encouraged to share every possible detail with them right from the start. Avoid stereotyping and never prescribe medication. It would hurt the feelings of both the parents and their children with special needs.

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The author is Teacher II at San Pedro Elementary School, Sasmuan District,

Division of Pampanga.