Serving Moms of Students with Special Needs in Public Schools
This Mother’s Day I thought I’d direct my attention to moms who have students with special needs, and ask, “How could public schools do a better job of helping them out?” Of course this relates to dads too, but usually moms are more on the front line and it is their day!
Education Secretary Arne Duncan wants to cut special education in public schools, like politicians have wanted to end these services for years. What if, instead, he said, “Hey moms, especially you tired moms who struggle every day to help your child learn, who fight for assistance and are scared of what the future holds for your student, how can your public schools help you?”
I have gathered information from previous comments, the research, and moms. This is the list I compiled. Here are some problems and possible solutions.
Loneliness
Support Groups. Suzanne Perry has several lovely blogs and she wrote “6 Secrets Special Needs Moms Know but Won’t Tell You.” Loneliness heads the list. So wouldn’t it be nice when Mom registers her child with special needs in school, that she be immediately linked to a support group? Schools should maintain and be ready to share the best up-to-date information concerning community assistance and disability foundations and associations.
PTA. Along with this, the PTA also has ideas for support, including pairing parents of students with special needs. Social media and networking online is nice, but there is nothing like meeting over coffee or lunch, or allowing parents to pitch-hit for each other so they can have a night out.
Speakers. The PTA and the school, or school district, should bring in speakers to address the needs of students with disabilities. This brings awareness to other parents and students. It also brings parents and students together.
School Climate
School Office. A school should be welcoming to parents with students who have disabilities and it starts in the front office.
Showcase Student Work. Many students with disabilities thrive in the arts. Any way a school can showcase a student’s work when they struggle with a disability should be a top objective in the school.
School Ambience. Do the hallways seem safe and clean? Are they reasonably monitored and do students look content? What are the restrooms like? Is there a playground and does it look safe and well-maintained? Are there programs or incentives to have peer acceptance programs? These variables are important to all parents, but especially those with students who have special needs.
Needs Assessment. Parents might appreciate a needs assessment. I’m not talking about nosy data collection, but sincere questions to find out what parents would like from the school. Principals, teachers and guidance counselors should use this Serving Moms of Students with Special Needs in Public Schools:
