Parent Responses to News of a Child’s Disability
• “This can’t be! No one in my family ever had mental retardation.”
• “Perhaps I should have eaten different foods when I was pregnant.”
• “What does this doctor know? The child seems okay to me. Let’s go see someone else.”
• “Is there something wrong with my baby? The doctor keeps saying everything will be just fine. Why won’t she talk to me about this?”
3.1
Suggested Questions for a Parent Panel
• Describe some of the positive experiences you have had with doctors, specialists, child care providers or others involved in your child’s life.
• Describe some of the negative experiences you have had.
• How did you find out that your child has a disability?
3.2
Suggested Questions for a Parent Panel
• How do you think having a child with disabilities has changed your life?
• What kind of help have you received that was beneficial to you as a parent of a child with special needs?
• What advice do you have for child care providers about working with families of children with special needs?
3.3
Working with Families of Children with Special Needs
• Most parents know their child’s strengths & needs.
• Promoting the child’s independence at home, in child care, & in the community is an important focus of families & child care programs.
• Individual goals for the child should be useful in the child care & home settings.
3.4
Confidentiality
Q: Why must confidentiality be maintained?
A: It is the Law
Q: What information do children & their families have the right to be kept private?
A: The results of formal & informal assessments
3.5
Confidentiality
Q: Who should have access to information about a child & family?
A: Anyone who is responsible for planning & providing services to the child & family
Q: Who should not have access to information about a child & family?
A: Anyone who is not responsible for planning or providing services to the child & family
3.6