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