Hi Everyone,
I have a very exciting opportunity to do a lecture series with a group of Developmental Pediatrician Fellows regarding Special Education teachers. We aren't sure on specific topics yet but I wanted to reach out to a larger group and gather some information and ideas. If you have the time I'd love your input on any or all of these questions.
As a Special Education teacher (early childhood preferably) OR any provider of care to a child with special needs have you:
- Interacted with a Developmental Pediatrician?
- Was it a positive or negative experience?
- Do you feel like your input on the child under evaluation was valued?
- What type of communication took place (I.e. Paper, email, phone, in person, etc)?
- As an educator would you like to be more involved on medical evaluation teams? How so? What do you imagine that would look like?
- Do you live/work somewhere where you feel there is a well established collaboration between MDs and teachers? What does it look like?
Any other input or ideas would be greatly appreciated. I am currently in TN and other than being sent a very large and difficult to complete packet we are almost never consulted before diagnosis. I have worked with children for years and when they walk in with a diagnosis that confuses both myself and the parents we wonder how/why there wasn't more input or collaboration with the professionals who know the child best.
We are hoping this collaboration will begin to create a team approach to assisting these young children. We are also hoping to begin creating a more unified front regarding advocacy for young children and the services they so desperately need. Doctor or Teacher we are all fighting for these children.
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Catherine Marx
Special Education PreK teacher
Clarksville Montgomery County School System
Fort Campbell KY
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