How does a teacher address a parent about their child's behavior and future diagnosis? The is one student in my practicum that my mentor believes has autism. My mentor has tried to talk with his mother, but the students mom refuses to find out any further information. My mentor has supported his reasons in hopes that she would hear what he had to say. The student is constantly repeating discussions he hears. For example, one day I was talking to another students and I said, "I've already tried." Then the child who my mentor suspect has autism repeated what I said to himself. The student is very bright and is not behind. Sometimes it is difficult to get him to stay focussed. He keeps the same routine. There are several reasons why my mentor is led to believe the student has autism. I am concerned about the child. What happens if a teacher suspects a student may have a disability, but yet the parent refuses to acknowledge any of the reasons why the teacher suspects it?
I wonder why a parent would not want to get further information about the their child's behaviors and possibilities of reasons for why their child is behaving a certain way. I know that most parents want their children to be healthy and may not want to face the difficulties of having a child with a disability. I think if there are suspicions about there child the sooner the parents take action the better is will be for the child.
It is interesting that you bring up this question. I believe it is that time of year where parents are being notified of any indicators that display that a child might have a disability. My mentor teacher believes that a few students display the behaviors of a child with ADD. She sent an email that described the behaviors; very objective. It is important to remain objective, and not place any opinions, accustations or diagnosis. She did this last week. I asked if she had heard anything back from any of the parents. One parent is following up with a conference and plans to get the child tested. The other parent has not emailed her back, and it just so happens that this parent has never came in and conferenced with my mentor. She said that the parent is probably in denial. I asked her what happens if the parent does nothing, and doesn't get them tested? She said, its sad but there is nothing you can do. You have to just work with the child. I then realized that you can't place a child on an IEP without the authorization of the parent. It's a hard situation, but something she said you will definitly experience and will have to deal with in teaching.
ReplyDeleteI believe that there are many children in schools that are struggling because their parents do not want to get the help that their child needs. This may be because the parents are ashamed, not knowledgable, or think that their is nothing wrong with their child. As a teacher this to me is not acceptable, but as a teacher I know that I can not place judgement or my personal opinions on parents. I know that as a good teacher I need to support parent decisions and provide them with knowledgable resouces and support groups to rely on. Whether the parent takes action after that is their decision. All I can do is provide the child with the best learning enviroment that supports the child's learning and development
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