Parents/Education Assistants

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

I am writing today to announce that I am in the process of writing a

book/guide from the parent's point of view on basic procedures, must haves

and principles for education assistants and the special needs child. The

reason for doing this is that education assistants either are experienced,

have some experience or have no background on assisting a special needs

child. Honestly, most education assistants have their jobs because of the

true desire to help our kids (I have one of those and I know of a few others

too). BUT, there are some out there that see the job as just that...a job.

Even the most experienced education assistant, educator, doctor, etc agree

that there's always something to learn. So this book/guide is not meant to

be the " Bible " of how to do the job. I want it to be a tool in helping make

the education assistants happy and their job easier and our kids as happy,

balanced, and secure as possible. So here's what I need from you as a

parent or provider of a child with special needs:

PARENTS

1) Briefly, tell me what's important to you to express to those that may

work with your child?

2) Briefly tell me what basic things your child needs to be successful

3) Write a brief letter to your education assistant that praises their

efforts (I think there needs to be more recognition)

4) If your child has language delays or is nonverbal, briefly tell me what

you would like to know from your education assistant as far as

what happened in their day at school

5) Briefly describe qualities you hope your education assistant will possess

PROVIDERS/EDUCATION ASSISTANTS

1) Briefly tell me what's important to you to express to parents that you

work with because of their child with special needs

2) Briefly tell me what basic things you need to be successful at your job

3) Briefly tell me what type of training you received and what you hoped you

would receive to serve the special needs child you are serving

4) Briefly tell me what basic things you need to be successful at making the

child you work with successful

5) Briefly write positive advice for future education assistants

That's all I need right now. All your responses will be kept confidential.

Later, I will be asking certain individuals that replied permission to

mention information that may be more specific. PARENTS: The letter you

write to your education assistant will be published. Please only mention

your assistant's first name. Do not mention the school your child attends.

Any information included in your response will be published and personal

identities kept confidential unless otherwise contacted by myself.

Responding to this e-mail gives me permission to include your replies

without compensation. Your input will be credited in some shape or form by

either " mom to child with autism - Texas " or " education assistant for child

with autism - Illinois " . If your information will be used, I will keep you

updated on the status of this book/guide and the specific replies I've

included that will be published. If you do not get a response, then your

information will not be used.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me personally by

e-mail and I will be sure to reply as soon as possible. I hope to get a lot

of responses. I look forward to this being a positive tool for everyone

this book/guide affects.

Sincerely,

Rose Helms - roseh@...

Southern Wisconsin