Ask The Educators

In this episode, Bud and Jacobson present the 5-C Model of Communication, an original communication framework, which they first introduced in their book Navigating Special Education, the Power of Building Positive Parent-Educator Partnerships. During this podcast, they discuss the key components of their model: conversations, collaboration, cooperation, compromise, and consensus. Using their framework ensures everyone’s voice is heard and valued, which will help parents be active participants in the IEP process.

This episode presents an often-overlooked aspect of parenting a child with special needs, the grieving process. Bud and Jacobson discuss the Five-Stages of Grief as outlined by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. Parents grieving influences how they communicate with educators. Bud and Jacobson offer practical insights regarding the grieving process as it impacts not only families,but the education community. Awareness and empathy are the path to building collaborative parent-teacher relationships.