This is a six week course for parents of pupils with additional needs in an Irish setting. The course supports and informs around legislation , inclusive practice, psychological assessment, partnership with schools and individual education planning

2. 6 Week Course for Parents of
Pupils with Additional Needs
Course Developed and Delivered by
Berna Daly
Using Powerpoint, Video, Roleplay, Discussion & Groupwork
Retired Principal and Special Ed.Teacher
M. Sc in Special Education
Child Development Specialist
Based in Blackrock, Co Dublin
Tel : 0874 170 170

3. Overview of Session 1
Attachment & Acceptance
 Introductions
 Attachment Theory and PRACTICE
 Marte Meo : Using attachment behaviours to
aid developmental processes.
 DVD/Role Play ( Marte Meo Approaches)
 Acceptance v Expectations
 Summarise Learning
 Closure/Homework for next week

4. Overview of Session 2
Learning Disabilities: Key Issues
 General Learning Disabilities; Categories ,
ASDs , Down’s Syndrome
 Emotional Behavioural Disabilities
 Specific Learning Disabilities ( can exist on
their own without GLD but very often present
with GLD.)
 Parental Approaches/Styles with children
with learning disabilities
 Summarise Learning

5. Overview of Session 3
Your Child’s Statutory Rights
 Education Act 1998
 Education for Persons with Special
Educational Needs Act (EPSEN) 2004
 Child & Family Agency Act 2013
 Child Protection Guidelines 1999 (Children
First Bill 2014)
 Disability Act 2005
 Data Protection Act
 Summarise Learning

6. Overview of Session 4
Working in Partnership with Schools
 What is partnership ?
 Role Similarities Teachers & Parents
 Role Complementaries ( Teachers & Parents
 Role Reversal : Role-play Exercise
 Parent Teacher Interactions :
 Strategies for effective Communication
 Summarise learning

7. Overview of Session 5
Making Sense of Psychological
Reports
 Why Assessment ?
 Psycho-educational Assessment . What is an
IQ? How is it measured
 Clinical Psychological Assessment
 Public v Private
 Sample Psycho-Educational Assessment
Report : Discussion : Real Person v The
Assessment .
 Summarise Learning

8. Overview of Session 6
Theory of Multiple Intelligences
What are they?
How are your child’s intelligences understood
and developed?
Teaching/Communication/ Styles that match
and/or compensate for your child’s learning
styles
Individual Education Planning
Why , what , where , how and with whom?
 Summarise Learning

9.  This course has been
designed to support
parents of pupils with
special educational needs
as they navigate their
way through the
educational system. It
can be adapted for
parents of both primary
and secondary school
pupils . All the material is
copyrighted to me and
cannot be used by other
trainers without my
permission . Thank you.
 Berna Daly

10.  This course has been
designed to support
parents of pupils with
special educational needs
as they navigate their
way through the
educational system. It
can be adapted for
parents of both primary
and secondary school
pupils . All the material is
copyrighted to me and
cannot be used by other
trainers without my
permission . Thank you.
 Berna Daly