What options are available to
Team members for productively discussing a child's educational needs in light
of private medical evaluations particularly when the potential for conflict is
high? As a former IEP Team Chair, this is a question I've grappled with for
years. And like so many "big" questions, I don't think there are any
easy or obvious answers.
For Teams charged with
reviewing neuropsychological reports of course, there are two basic parts to
the conversation. First, what does the report say? Second, how do the results
translate into eligibility, services, and/or placement for a given student?
If there's a tension between
special education and neuropsychology, I think "ground zero" is at
the IEP Team meeting table. If you're ever looking for a front row seat on how
this tension gets played out, I don't know of a better place to see it. Or feel
it.
I recently had the
opportunity to interview Dr. Karen Postal, neuropychologist and author of the
book, Feedback That Sticks: The Art of Effectively Communicating
Neuropsychological Assessment Results. We spoke, among other topics,
about effective strategies for discussing neuropsychological assessment results
at Team meetings.
Here is the link the audio
interview if you'd like to give it a listen: www.speducated.com/feedback
Click here for a link to Dr.
Postal's book: http://www.amazon.com/Feedback-that-Sticks-Communicating-Neuropsychological/dp/0199765693
After you listen to the
interview, please consider posting a comment below to share your thoughts and
experiences. You never know who you may help in the process!
Christie C. White, M.Ed. is a
parent advocate who writes a special education blog for the parents &
caregivers of young children in Massachusetts at speducated.com.
