Family involvement has never been more important in a child’s education. When it is necessary to develop an individualized plan, the family should be the center of it all. Our text states, it is no longer the professionals who are the “experts” and do it all, but rather it should be a relationship between the two parties to come up with the best goals and objectives for the child. The text also states the outcomes, goals, and objectives should come from the families concern and priorities, not the professional. It is the professional’s job to help find ideas and resources for the concerns and priorities of the family not create the concerns or priorities.
In my opinion an individualized plan could not be developed properly without family involvement. However I should also mention that a family’s involvement should only be as in depth as they want it to be. It is the family’s choice to determine the extent to which they want to be involved. The family is given the option, and it is the responsibility of the professional to include them when and how often they want to be. Some families may feel it is better to leave the major decisions up to the professionals and others may want to be there every step of the way. It is a personal preference. All that matters is that the family is aware of all the steps that are taking place and that the family is first and foremost.
Reference:
Cook, Ruth E., Klein M. Diane, & Tessier, Annette. (2008). Adapting Early Childhood Curricula for Children with Special Needs (7th Edition). Columbus, OH: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Parents/Families are the experts on their child and their involvement in creating an individualized plan is essential. Professionals will have a better understanding of the child's environment and the family's concerns, resources, and priorities when parents/families share invaluable information regarding their child and their unique needs and situations. I also agree that it is important that families feel that participation is an option as families respond to their situations in unique ways. Professionals need to empower families by informing them of available services and resources and how to access them. As stated in our text, professionals must help families understand the continuum of services and opportunities from which they make choices.
ReplyDeleteYou are very correct, when developing an individualized plan the family should be the center. We must not forget parents are experts, too.
ReplyDeleteI like that goals are based on the families' concerns instead of just professionals' opinions.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of you, I feel that families are the experts of their child just as much as professionals are if not more! I have a ten month old daughter and I feel I know more about her than anyone else does! I see her do things at home that she doesn't even do at daycare. When both parties come together the child as an individual can be discussed as a whole and it is not one sided.
ReplyDeleteTimes have changed some, I remember meeting a parent who as intimidated by the IEP team because of her lack of education. She felt forced to have her son put on medication. I explained to her that no one could make her put her son on medication if she did not want to. I suggested to her to take someone with her to the IEP meetings that knew what she wanted for her son and who would not have a problem speaking up on her behalf. It is important that parents not feel treatened but apart of the team and process.
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