Parents And Professionals Partnering For Children With Disabilities A Dance That Matters- Paperback

The authors draw upon the metaphor of "dance" to better understand the complexities and possibilities of forming partnerships between educators, administrators, early childhood providers, therapists, support staff, other professionals and parents of children with disabilities. This revised edition of Do You Hear What I Hear? Parents and Professionals Working Together for Children With Special Needs is rich with stories, examples and practical insights. This book, written from both the parent's and the professional's points of view, provides a developmental approach to understanding and forging positive adult relationships, while also providing concrete ways to advocate for children. The authors' years of experience as successful consultants, trainers and educators lends this helpful resource a deep sense of realism and compassion. They remind the reader of how essential the parent-professional partnership is and why it IS a dance that matters. Key features include:

• Practical insights and evidence-based approaches to forming partnerships.
• Easy-to-read, non-technical language that speaks to both the heart and the mind.
• Sample letters and other forms of communication shared between professionals and parents.
• Stories and examples of real-world conversations between parents and professionals.
• Effective ways to handle difficult situations.

Rich with humor and heart, this highly readable book offers helpful steps for self reflection, personnel preparation and parent-professional training. Educators and parents will find expert guidance for listening to each other's music, trying out each other's dance steps and working toward a new dance that includes contributions from all with the ultimate reward of seeing children achieve their highest potential.

• Sub-Title - A Dance That Matters.
• Authored - Janice M. Fialka.
• Author Affiliation - National Parent Leader, Early On Michigan Training and Technical Assistance, Part C of IDEA.
• Other Author's - Karen C. Mikus.
• Binding - Paperback.
• Pages - 176.
• Publication Date - 05-Apr-12.
• Primary Subject Code - Special Education - CC0.
• Copyright Year - 2012.
• Item Weight - 10 oz.

Janice Fialka is a nationally recognized speaker, author and social worker with an expertise in adolescent health, parent-professional partnerships, inclusion and post secondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. She has co-founded and directed several teen health centers in Michigan and has previously taught at Wayne State University in the School of Social Work.