Parents and Professionals Partnering for Children With Disabilities
A Dance That Matters
- Janice M. Fialka - Dance of Partnership
- Arlene K. Feldman - Educational Consultant, Adjunct, SUNY, New Paltz, Retired Director of Special Education, Valley Central School District, Montgomery, NY
- Karen C. Mikus - Clinical Psychologist
Foreword by Ann P. Turnbull
Cultivate effective partnerships between parents and professionals through honest, respectful and skillful communication
The authors draw upon the metaphor of "dance" to better understand the complexities and possibilities of forming partnerships between educators, administrators, early childhood providers, therapists, support staff, other professionals, and parents of children with disabilities. This revised edition of Do You Hear What I Hear? Parents and Professionals Working Together for Children With Special Needs is rich with stories, examples, and practical insights. This book, written from both the parent's and the professional's points of view, provides a developmental approach to understanding and forging positive adult relationships, while also providing concrete ways to advocate for children. The authors' years of experience as successful consultants, trainers, and educators lends this helpful resource a deep sense of realism and compassion. They remind the reader of how essential the parent-professional partnership is—and why it IS a dance that matters.
Key features include:
- Practical insights and evidence-based approaches to forming partnerships
- Easy-to-read, non-technical language that speaks to both the heart and the mind
- Sample letters and other forms of communication shared between professionals and parents
- Stories and examples of real-world conversations between parents and professionals
- Effective ways to handle difficult situations
Rich with humor and heart, this highly readable book offers helpful steps for self reflection, personnel preparation, and parent-professional training. Educators and parents will find expert guidance for listening to each other's music, trying out each other's dance steps, and working toward a new dance that includes contributions from all—with the ultimate reward of seeing children achieve their highest potential.
Flip to page 7 for a review of the book in the Family Matter @ School Newsletter!
“This book serves as a vital resource and provides essential viewpoints for professionals. The text also reminds parents how valuable their input is to the process. In the spirit of collaboration, we highly recommend this book.”
Addresses important issues in working with families in a way that helps students understand the rationale for establishing positive relationships with families. It also provides effective strategies for working with families and is written in an engaging style. The students like and remember the Dance metaphor.