Partnering for More Effective Solutions for Students with Special Needs

At the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) annual conference in Salt Lake City in October 2009, the theme was “We’re Better Together: Leadership through the Practice of Community.” In addition to the state directors of special education, leaders from a wide variety of national and regional organizations attended. At any given table you could find a superintendent, principal, teacher, parent, advocate, therapist, and/or educational consultant. The message was clear. If we are going to provide continuity and excellence in services for students with special needs, all of the stakeholders need to be at the table.

As the parent of a child with autism and the author of curriculum for students with special needs, I applaud NASDSE’s commitment to partnerships. Each student with special needs is unique. Developing a plan of action that will work requires all of the key people who interact with that student. Consistency in communication and goals is the foundation for success.

Lew Feldstein, keynote speaker for the NASDSE conference, shared the following African proverb: “Hope resides in togetherness.”  When it comes to providing effective solutions for students with special needs, hope truly resides in partnerships between educators, service providers, parents, and community organizations.