1. SpEd 417/517 Families and Collaboration

2. Collaboration Issues Defining collaboration M utual goals Recognition/sharing of expertise Team equality Shared decision making, responsibility, accountability

3. Definition Process –Different expertise areas –Work together –Identify needs and problems –Find ways to meet needs –Solve problems –Due to complexity of needs –Requires knowledge and skills from all areas

4. Features Shared vision Recognition of unique contribution Sharing expertise Equality amongst team Consensus decision making Shared responsibility and accountability

5. Characteristics of Collaborators Recognition of complexity of needs and process Creativity arises from team process Process can be pleasant and enjoyable Professional growth can be attained Reflection is important component

6. Collaborative Problem Solving Process to identify problems or barriers related to the unique needs of the student, the challenges of the educational programming, and the opportunity to create practical solutions

7. Collaboration Model Identify the issue Generate possible solutions Screen possible solutions Choose a solution to implement Evaluate the solution Salisbury, et.al. 1997

8. Collaborative Team Special educator General educator Physical and occupational therapists Speech/language pathologists Administrators School psychologists School nurse School social worker Other educational or medical professionals

9. Team Models Multidisciplinary –Team members work separately –In isolation with student –Assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation developed by discipline area –Advantage - expertise provided –Disadvantage - no interaction required, limited to area of expertise, “pull-out” model

10. Team Models Interdisciplinary –More coordinated approach –Sharing of information amongst team members –Advantage - Coordinated decision making –Disadvantage - services carried out in isolation –Clinical-medical, deficit-remediation model

11. Team Models Transdisciplinary –Coordinated services across disciplines –Consistent communication required –Coordinate assessment and planning –Integrated therapy –Role release

12. Effective Collaboration Membership Space and time Facilitator Format Goal setting Conflict resolution

13. Paraprofessionals Roles and duties Teacher’s role –Assigning –Supervising –evaluating Issues –Over-reliance –Training

14. Paraprofessionals Member of team –Space to work –Identity –Proper orientation –Written policies

15. Paraprofessionals Guidelines –Provide effective collaboration –Maximize utilization –Individualize job description –Scrutinize need –Match needs and abilities –Use natural supports whenever possible –Consider school and classroom –Consider caseloads of supervising personnel –Flexibility –Permanency

16. Collaboration Exercise

17. Family Issues Family involvement –include in program development –critical to long-term success Partnerships with parents –goals of parents –family values

18. Family Issues Cultural awareness –minorities –socio-economics –communication Parent supports