Parents must learn to accept the realities of a child’s disability. This process of acceptance can be lengthy and can impact classroom instruction. It is important for educators to be part of this process and to partner with parents to create high expectations for all students.

This course addresses the expectations parents may have for their children with disabilities, and how those expectations can cause stress for families and teachers. The course gives you coping strategies to reduce that stress and recognize potential parent burnout. You get practical guidance on the advocacy role of parents in IEP meetings, and how differences in culture can influence the expectations parents have for their children with disabilities.

Chapters

Chapter 1 Parental Expectations and Classroom Practices
Chapter 2 Preventing Burnout: Practical Strategies to Manage Stress
Chapter 3 Tips and Techniques for IEP Meetings
Chapter 4 How Cultural Differences Impact Parental Expectations

Learning Outcomes

After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the varying levels of expectations parents have for their children with disabilities, and how those expectations impact the classroom.
• Recognize factors leading to parent burnout, and recommend strategies to help reduce stress.
• Identify the advocacy responsibility of parents during IEP meetings, and recognize techniques that support this role.
• Describe how differences in culture influence parental expectations.
• Complete chapter assessments with 100 percent mastery and the final assessment with 80 percent mastery.