One thing I’ve learned, both as an educator and as a parent, is this:
Helping a child with special needs is never a one-person job.
It takes a team.
When our son was first starting out with school-based services, we knew it was important to bring everyone together—school staff, outside therapists, and of course, us as parents. We didn’t want a bunch of separate pieces. We wanted a coordinated, supportive team focused on helping him grow.
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Working Together Made the Difference
We made sure that everyone who was working with our son—his special education teacher, the occupational therapist, speech therapist, physical therapist, and even his private providers—were on the same page.
We were lucky. The school was very supportive. From the beginning, they made space for conversations. They took our concerns seriously. And when questions came up, they were willing to listen.
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Not Every Experience Was Perfect
We did have some difficulties along the way—especially with certain therapists or providers whose style didn’t quite fit. When that happened, we brought it directly to the case manager. We didn’t let things fester. We addressed it, together, with the team. That open line of communication made all the difference.
What helped was knowing we all had the same goal: helping our son learn, grow, and feel successful.
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The Power of Communication
We’ve had IEP meetings that felt hard—and others that felt like huge wins. But through it all, the key has been consistent, honest communication. Emails, check-ins, progress notes—we stayed involved, and so did the school.
Even now, as he gets older and prepares to enter 6th grade, that communication is still strong.
We continue to work as a team, adjusting and supporting him every step of the way.
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You Don’t Need a Perfect Team—You Need a Willing One
What I want other parents to know is this:
You don’t need every professional to be perfect.
But you do need people who are willing to listen, willing to adjust, and willing to work together.
When everyone is pulling in the same direction, real progress can happen.
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🧩 Who’s on My Child’s Team?
Use this simple worksheet to stay organized and keep track of who’s supporting your child—at school and beyond.
Role Name Contact Info Notes
Case Manager
Special Education Teacher
Classroom Teacher
Speech Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Physical Therapist
Private Therapist (Speech/OT/PT)
Developmental Pediatrician
School Counselor
Parent/Guardian
✏️️ Tip: Print this page or copy the chart into a notebook or document where you can update it over time.
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💬 Have you built a support team around your child? I’d love to hear how you made it work—or what challenges you’ve faced. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
