An effective communication strategy is turning negatives into positives. This technique allows you to take a negative comment made about your child and give it a positive “spin.” For example, “He’s always fighting” could mean “It looks like my child needs to learn social skills.”

How have you been able to turn a negative into a positive?

Listening to others is an important skill. When you listen, you can gain needed information, and you can also ask yourself if the speaker is sharing opinions or facts. A fact will have data or records to back up what is said. Decisions should be based on facts.

               How have you found listening to others helpful in planning for your child with a disability?

Special education requires documents and records. Individualized Education Program (IEP) team planning and meetings run more efficiently when everyone has their “data” well organized. What methods have you found helpful in becoming organized?