The seven things I wish every parent or caregiver with a child in special education knew.
By Alex Wilks
Hi, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Alex, and I have the pleasure of serving as a Speech-Language Pathologist in a local public school district. And, I love my job! While education is a never-changing field that often feels like a roller coaster, the commitment of special education staff to the development of children in all stages of life continues to delight me. These are the seven things I wish every parent or caregiver with a child in special education knew.
We are on the same team.Together parents and education staff collaborate to give children the best support. Sometimes it feels like we are at odds, but after 10 years in education I can tell you the overwhelming majority of Speech Pathologists, Teachers, Occupational Therapists, Music Therapists, and other professionals seek the flourishing of their students. Your partnership with us is invaluable and allows your children to succeed exponentially more.
Opportunities for language development are everywhere. Every good Speech-Pathologist reminds parents and caregivers of this any chance they get. Language is a critically foundational skill for learning and development, and it can be embedded in everything you do with your child. For example, you can narrate your day, retell stories together, make up jokes, and play. Get your kids talking and encourage them when they do!
Disability does not have to mean stigmatization. While the diagnosis of a disability is certainly significant, I want every caregiver in the world to know it does not doom their child. It is important for families to understand what a disability means for their child. It often requires a level of grief over missed expectations, but it also offers an opportunity for creativity as children with disabilities need uniquely different things to learn, grow, and succeed in life.
You are your child’s greatest cheerleader and advocate. As a parent or caregiver, you are an expert on your child. While school staff spend many hours per day with children, you spend so many more across his lifetime. You know what makes her light up with joy, what frustrates her, and what fears and dreams she has. Your voice as an encouragement is more important than any of ours, and your voice as an advocate can help your child reach his fullest potential.
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) should be as dynamic as your child. I’ve heard it said many times that the evaluation and IEP process is intimidating for parents and caregivers. While we want to make it as painless as possible, the number one thing to know is the IEP is meant to be individualized. The state may give us legal requirements for what is included in the document, but the way we meet those requirements vary from child to child. Throughout the course of a child’s time in special education, she will likely have a variety of service providers. Often children do not need multiple years of certain services, but will need others for their whole school career. Any decision made by a committee drafting an IEP should be based on data, and as a parent, you should take the opportunity to offer your knowledge during the process.
Special Educators & Service Providers are life-long learners. My boss says, “If you are not constantly growing and learning, you are behind.” In the field of Speech Pathology, this is absolutely true. Being excellent at our craft means we find ways to expand our knowledge and skills to include the latest evidence-based practices. Without a commitment to growth, we cannot serve our families with our best. You and your child deserve our best.
You are not alone; others have walked this path. Please let this truth sink into your bones. Sometimes caring for a child with a disability feels lonely and isolating. While your child may have unique needs, there are so many who see you and want to walk alongside you in this journey. Give yourself grace, give educators grace, and link arms with others in support of your child.
I hope these seven things bring some clarity and encouragement for you. Doing what’s best for your child can feel like a daunting task. Choosing to collaborate, trusting the process while staying informed, and encouraging your child is a proven plan to bring about the success we all want for your child.
