Clinical Skills Confidence: Coworker Collaboration

Let’s face it. When you’re working in the schools, it’s all about collaboration. This can be rewarding, but  it can also be super frustrating at times if people aren’t on the same page.

First, let’s talk about WHO you have to collaborate with as a school based SLP during an IEP meeting: parents, administration, teachers, other related service providers, and possibly an advocate. That’s A LOT of people!

Any time you’re at an IEP meeting (and we all know how much time we spend in meetings), we are collaborating. We’re collaborating before the meeting, during the meeting, and even after the meeting. How can you make it run smoothly?

Well first of all, I have to remind myself that I can’t control other people. This is something that’s hard for me. Different people have different styles of doing things and sometimes it might not be in line with mine. I sometimes will send friendly reminders that so-and-so’s IEP is due soon if I haven’t heard anything from the case manager.

Here are my tips for collaboration when it comes to IEP meetings:

-Start email communication to find a mutually convenient time for everyone on the team.

-Before meetings, email or chat with the teacher and special education teacher about your proposed goals and see if they have any additional input.

-Make sure you have your goals and information put into the IEP program well before the meeting. In my district, we have to provide parents with draft goals at least 3 days before the meeting so it helps if you have yours in so the case manager doesn’t have to hunt you down.

-Figure out roles beforehand. Some people like to run the computer and talk, while others prefer to have another person run the computer.

-At the meeting, support what is best for the child. Listen to what the parents have to say and respond accordingly. Be positive and tell parents the child’s strengths too!

-Let each team member have their turn to talk. Add input if you can to others’ information.

These are some things that I’ve found helpful when conducting IEP meetings. When everyone works together, things run much more smoothly!

What have you found to be helpful at IEP meetings?