2. Understanding Families
What is a family?
Family is defined as two or more people who regards
themselves as a family and preform family functions.
In my opinion these people do not have to be related
by blood.
3. Understanding Families
Families play a key supporting role when it
comes to education, especially special
education because these parents tend to be
more involved in their child’s education. IDEA
mandates that parents are to be involved and
a part of their plan whether it is an IEP or
IFSP. No matter what type of plan the parents
have specific rights and will more than likely
be involved, with that being said it is, in my
opinion, extremely important for the
professionals involved to understand the
family and their perspectives. Some of the
roles that parents are a part of are advocates,
teachers, decision makers, service
developers and many other roles.
I must add that all people involved may not
just be the parents but may also be other
family members and they are just as
important as the parents. They may provide
more insight or ideas that can help the special
educators.
4. Family Systems Theory
Family Systems Theory is a
theory that Murray Bowen came
up with and it basically states
that families are seen as a
complex and interactive social
system is which all members’
needs and experiences affect
the others. Basically what this is
saying is that one action affects
the actions of others. A family
should be seen as a whole and I
am a firm believer in that.
Families play a huge role in a
child’s education especially
those of students who have
special needs. There are three
principles that go along with this
theory and those are:
5. Principle 1
Principle 1: No individual can be
understood without recognizing
how he or she fits within the
entire family.
This is one of the most important
principles because each and
every person of a family plays a
role and it is important to know
and understand how important
that role is. I think this is
extremely important to think
about as a teacher because this
could be why a student is acting
out. Their parent could have
been laid off from work and this
could cause a serious household
change.
6. Principle 2
Principle 2: Families need
rules for structure and for
change.
This principle is important
because rules and structure
guide a family and the
behavior in day to day events.
There are some mothers who
have a wacky schedule and
may not have set rules and
that can affect the structure
and behavior of the child. This
is especially true for students
who are in special education.
7. Principle 3
Principle 3: Family interaction with the school,
community, extended family, and friends is
essential to the life of the family.
This can basically be summed up in a
simple sentence: a family exists to meet the
needs of its members. It is also important to
know that the needs of each member cannot
always be met because children need peer
relationships and adults need adult
interactions. Peer relationships are especially
true when it comes to students with special
needs because students tend to have social
issues. While all of this is true it is important to
note that with all of this going on it is important
to have and maintain positive relationships. If
families do the opposite of socialize and keep
to themselves they will tend to have negative
relationships. I think that positivity goes a long
way especially in relationships because it
keeps people happy and that is a feeling that
can go a long way.
