This document discusses the perspectives and lessons learned by Lori Kane, who has experience as both a special educator and a parent of a child with special needs. As an educator, Kane held various roles in the school system, currently working as a behavior specialist. As a parent, her son was diagnosed prenatally and required time in the NICU. She discusses feeling terrified but learning the language as she went through the IFSP and IEP process. Some key lessons learned include removing emotions to communicate effectively, recognizing assumptions can damage communication, and balancing her roles as an educator and advocate for her son.

1. Perspectives From Both Sides of
the Table:
From Special Needs
Professional to Parent
LORI KANE

2. Lori Kane, Special Educator
13-YEAR VETERAN
SPECIAL EDUCATOR
VARIETY OF ROLES IN
THE SCHOOL SYSTEM
CURRENT ROLE:
BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST

3. Lori Kane, Mom
Prenatal suspected diagnosis
35 weeker
NICU
ITP Referral
Terrified

4. Shock

5. IFSP
You’re talking Greek to
me!

6. Just 8 Miles
Down the
Road…

7. The First IEP
Meeting
Now you’re talking my
language!

8. Our Vision…
Created a strengths-based document
Included our words
Allows others to know who he is as a person
Provided to each service provider
Important lesson for me, as a parent and educator

9. Assumptions
Damaging on both sides
Made every step of the way
Creates communication barriers
Empathy vs. Sympathy

10. Lessons Learned
Document in writing
Introducing my son by his strengths first, even if the IEP is not a strengths-based
document
Removing emotions is difficult but sometimes it’s needed & the only way to do that
is to have another voice
Educators are amazing and human, that’s okay

11. Lessons Learned
It is important to reach out for support
Teacher prep programs do NOT do a great job of preparing teachers for D/HoH,
VI/Blind, and definitely not Deaf/Blind
Person first language is not always an identity for some cultures
Choosing a name sign is nearly impossible
The world is not accessible, but we can make schools be

12. Lessons Learned
Language is important
Educator vs. Parent and when to apply which role
I am my sons only voice, literally and figuratively
I have never had more empathy as an educator than I did after sitting in my first
official meeting
Flexing your muscles sometimes helps but sometimes hurts

13. Lessons Learned
Words sting
If I don’t include my husband in meaningful ways, he won’t join– same applies for
students
Clarity is ALWAYS better
Your professional and personal beliefs can collide and be in complete disagreement
with one another- but especially awkward when your profession is your personal life

14. A Delicate Balance
“Those Parents”
“That School”
“Board of Ed Employee”
Developmental knowledge
Knowing my role at every moment

15. The First Day of School

16. What Happens When…?

17. What’s Next