Running Head: WEEK SEVEN CASE STUDIES

Week Seven Case Studies

SPED 854: Family and Interprofessional Collaboration in Special Education

University of Kansas

Dr. Irma Brasseur-Hock & Naheed Abdulrahim

Brent Seager

June 26, 2017

WEEK SEVEN CASE STUDIES 2

Week Seven Case Studies

Case Study One

There are several issues that could arise during the first case study, with the father serving

as the interpreter to the mother during the IEP meeting. The first issue is miscommunication, as

the father might not understand the teacher or team members and then could relay the

information incorrectly to the mother. Another issue that could arise from the scenario is that

necessary supports and services might not be put into place for the student due to the differences

in languages and interpretations. Perhaps one of the biggest issues that could come from the

meeting is that the parents could feel alienated by the teacher and other members of the IEP

team, thus making it challenging to partner with the family in the future about the educational

needs of the student. While other issues could arise due to the language barrier, I foresee these

three as being the most significant to arise from the scenario.

I could think of three potential solutions to resolve the potential problems faced in the

scenario, that would help to ensure that every person was on the same page. The first solution

that I would suggest is to have the interpreter relay the information in Spanish to the parents, and

while still allowing the father to communicate in the matter of his choosing. The second solution

that I would suggest is to have the main points highlighted on a sheet of paper and have the

parents review these before leaving the meeting. A third solution that I have for the scenario is

to provide the parents with an option for a relative that is more proficient in both Spanish and

English to attend the meeting and be the translator for the mother and father. While all three

possible solutions could be beneficial for the parents, I believe that inviting the relative that is

more proficient in Spanish and English to the meeting, while retaining the interpreter could be

beneficial for all stakeholders in the meeting.

Case Study Two

WEEK SEVEN CASE STUDIES 3

The first step that I would take prior to the meeting is to contact the family and see if they

are alright with having an interpreter at the meeting. I would also encourage them to invite

relatives and other community members that they deem appropriate in the education of their

child. I would also ask if a family member was more fluent in English and Russian that could

provide the family with additional information, as this could help to remove the language

barriers in the meeting. Another step that I would take is to get an agenda of what will be

discussed in the meeting, along with the necessary paper work, and draft of the IEP out to the

parents in advance of the meeting date. Perhaps one of the biggest steps that I could take to

ensure that goals can be set and accomplished during the meeting is to provide the parents with

the agenda in Russian and English; this will build rapport with the family and allow goals to be

met in the meeting.

There are two things that should occur in the meeting that will allow goals to be

accomplished for all involved, which are respecting the familys wishes in all respects possible

and ensuring that the placement and rights of the student are considered when recommending

supports and services. There are also two things that should not occur in a meeting to

accomplish goals for all involved, which are not providing the language supports and interpreters

to support effective communication and not summarizing and restating the familys concerns to

ensure that you have not misunderstood. While there are other things that should and should not

occur in meetings to accomplish goals, the four listed above are some of the most important

items that I believe should and should not occur in a meeting to accomplish goals. Even though

most educators consider these items prior to entering a meeting, reviewing these will allow each

educator to ensure that goals and ways to accomplish the goals are in place.