I was doing a guest lecture in Mary I UL yesterday for teachers doing their extra qualification in Special Needs Education. While I was preparing it got me thinking about the influence our teachers have on our children and our family. As parents of children with special needs, we come with ‘baggage’! The teacher has not only to get to know your child but also take in all the input from the various therapists and psychologists.

The main message I wanted to leave with the students is the importance of working together and having close communication between school and home.

Over the years I have had the privilege of working with some wonderful teachers and assistants in Stephen’s school. He attends our local special school at St Vincents, Lisnagry. We work closely together to support Stephen.

A practical example of home and school working together:
‘Newsbooks’- there is a great system in Stephen’s school of newsbooks. We have two, one is Stephen’s newsbook and the other is a notebook his teacher and I use to tell each other news. Let me tell you first about Stephen’s newsbook. Each day when Stephen comes home from school he shows me his ‘news’ – his teacher will have put a drawing of something significant that happened in school along with a few words. It might be that Stephen had music that day, there might be a picture of drums. Stephen will point and in his way tell me his news.

This newsbook is also a great opportunity for speech and language development, in a very ‘natural’ ‘normal’ way (not a formal programme). Stephen and I are both motivated to find out the news!

Then later that day, it’s our turn to put something in Stephen’s newsbook to tell his teacher and classmates the following day at circle time. We may have been for a walk or gone swimming. And it’s our job to draw a picture and put some words in his book. Now my art skills are not good so I make good use of the digital camera and use photos! Stephen’s sister and brother also love getting involved in what we will put in the newsbook and often they draw pictures for me.

The second newsbook is the notebook I use to tell Stephen’s teacher any home news that will affect his day at school, e.g. if Stephen has not slept well or is a bit off form. Or it may be that we are trying to organise a meeting together with a particular therapist to get input for Stephen’s Individual Education Plan.

I have found this system of communication to be effective and good fun! Actually Stephen loves looking back over old newsbooks as they are like picture diaries of things his has done.

It is not only very beneficial, it is essential to have a close working relationship between home and school.

Best wishes as always,
Avril