How Does the Family Participate in the Educational and Rehabilitative Process for Their Child with Special Needs?

A small plant needs continuous care and attention, and staying in the right place under the sunlight to continue growing; likewise, your child with special needs requires organised and consistent care and attention to continue acquiring skills in various areas. If care is not provided continuously and periodically, the likelihood of their success and progress may decrease. Here, I write to you about one of the most important practices.

The type, intensity, and form of care may vary based on many factors, including (age, cognitive, language, and social level). Therefore, they spend part of their day at school and the clinic, and the rest of the time.

What Does Involving the Family Mean?

The rehabilitation and education of children with special needs centres on the collaborative effort between the school and the family, as this collaborative effort is known as the concept of partnership. It is an agreement between the school and the family to implement the educational plan and make decisions that directly serve the student's best interest.

Because partnership and cooperation between the school and the family impact the quality and improvement of the educational process, it is important for the family to know its rights, which results in the family feeling comfortable and reassured, and for the school to know its interactive role, including the administration and teachers.

Families Knowing Their Rights

1. Family consent before placing the child in special education programmes

2. Reviewing the child's records and reports

3. Notifying the family regarding the student, such as diagnosis, evaluation, the individualised educational plan, the teaching location, and others

4. Family participation in decision-making regarding the student

5. The family being aware of their rights, the grievance mechanism, and the entities responsible for child and family rights

6. Providing the family with the necessary training to interact with the child

7. Good communication, respect, and confidentiality

8. Participating in planning the therapeutic/educational programme

Family Responsibility:

1. Maintain a good relationship with your child's teacher and share important information about the child's education and development

2. Ask and request clarification on any aspect of the therapeutic and educational programme designed for your child

3. Make sure you understand the individualised therapeutic plan designated for your child before signing and approving it

4. Discuss with your child's teacher the regular school programmes in which the child could participate, such as physical or art education

5. Monitor your child's progress and request a report. If you do not notice any progress, discuss this with the teacher to look into the therapeutic plan and determine what needs to be changed

6. If you encounter any problem regarding your child's educational programme or evaluation, do not hesitate to discuss it with the teacher

7. Join a group of families who share the same circumstances, through which support and the exchange of experiences are available to you.

Participating in Implementing the Therapeutic Plan

1. Before attending the meeting designated for designing your child's individualised therapeutic plan, gather a number of skills you would like your child to learn

2. During the meeting, it is preferable to provide necessary information such as medical records, previous school records, and medical evaluation reports and results

3. Present and discuss real-life examples from the child's life to clarify their abilities

4. During the meeting, discuss effective methods you use to deal with your child's problems

5. Ask what you should do at home to support the educational therapeutic programme

6. If you do not notice any progress regarding your child's educational and developmental level, discuss that with the school administration

Your Child's Team;

Because of the importance of the family, which plays a significant role in the educational process and its success, there are some methods parents can use to make the educational process successful and support it with their child's team.

1. Participate in decisions that affect your child's education

2. If there is any question regarding your child, inquire and ask for clarification from the teacher

3. Stay informed and aware of school policies and departments

4. Obtain information about your child's development and learning from their team

5. Participate in developing your child's individualised educational plan

6. Review and discuss reports with your child's team

7. If there are priorities or preferences regarding your child and their education, discuss them with their team

Examples of Skills That Can Be Focused On

Communication Skills

Following instructions

Asking for or offering help

Understanding and processing information

Social Skills (conversation and greeting)

Basic skills such as interacting with others

Eye contact, facial expressions, and personal space

Learning how to initiate and end conversations and learning to choose appropriate topics for discussion

Emotional skills such as (expressing emotions, understanding and empathising with others).

Cognitive skills such as (problem-solving, decision-making, behaviour regulation, determining what is appropriate, and understanding societal norms).

Independence Skills

Choosing and putting on clothes

Personal hygiene

Using the restroom

Academic Skills

Reading and writing (spelling vocabulary, reading, and handwriting)

Using the computer

Listening and comprehension

Problem-solving

Mathematics (basic calculations)

Drawing and art activities

Written by: Sabreen Al-Jadaani

Reviewed by: Nisreen Al-Hazmi - Dr Faisal Al-Nemary

References:

1-https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/collaboration-with-families-of-children-with-disabilities-in-qatar-a-parents-perspective-2375-4494-1000351.pdf

2-https://my.vanderbilt.edu/specialeducationinduction/files/2011/09/Transition-Planning1.pdf

3- http://www.ldonline.org/article/21025/

4-http://www.readingrockets.org/article/rights-and-responsibilities-parents-children-disabilities

Originally published in Arabic. This English version was produced with AI-assisted translation; the Arabic original remains the reference.