Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/linking-parents-to-professionals-the-directors-role/5008835/
A common fear of directors who are considering mainstreaming children with differing abilities is that the buck will stop on their desks and they won't know how to handle it.Overseeing a vigorous mainstreaming program since 1974, I have learned that a director's role is as an ombudsman, or problem-solver. If we're good at our jobs, we understand our limits, don't try to do it all, and link parents with professionals who can best serve children with differing abilities.
The Director-Parent Link (When Child's Needs Are Clear)
Before a child with special needs enters your program, the parents need to know that you don't have all the answers. Indeed, if their child is already receiving therapy, parents will be more knowledgeable than you. Tell them that you will call occasionally to get or share information.
One child, Faith, wore a helmet to protect her skull. My movement teacher wondered if she could let Faith do somersaults, an activity the child craved. Faith's mother didn't know the answer so she called the physical therapist who called me back to say somersaults were a wonderful idea. If we hadn't asked, we might have been overly cautious, and Faith would have missed ...