07/22/2026
Every year, I begin by sharing with parents a little bit about my own journey as the mom of two young adults on the spectrum. It is important to me that families understand that I get it. I know what it feels like to sit on the other side of the table, to worry about your child, to wonder if they are receiving what they need, and to try to make sense of a system that can feel very overwhelming.
Most of the time, sharing this part of myself helps us establish rapport and build trust. But once in a while, it doesn’t go as planned. When I don’t feel a connection, I have learned to switch gears to create a safe space for my own mental health.
Here are some of the things to keep in mind:
Some families are still processing.
When you teach in a primary special education classroom, many families are just beginning to process a diagnosis or adjust to a school experience that looks very different from what they once imagined. As teachers, we may already be thinking about goals, strategies, supports, and next steps, while parents may still be trying to understand what all of this means for their child.
It is a lot. And I mean a lot of information. Families are learning a completely new language filled with acronyms that seem to use every letter of the alphabet: IEPs, IPRCs, ISTs, ILPs, and many more. What feels like everyday bread and butter to educators may be completely new and confusing to a parent.
Advocacy can be both a blessing and a challenge. A diagnosis can leave parents feeling powerless. Advocacy may become the tool of choice to help them regain some sense of control over a future that suddenly feels uncertain. At the same time, some requests may not be realistic or may go beyond what a school or board is able to provide. That can leave teachers caught in the middle, trying to honour their efforts while also being honest about what is actually possible.
None of this means accepting disrespect or allowing every interaction to affect us personally. Understanding what may be behind a parent’s response helps me lead with patience and empathy, while still maintaining the boundaries I need to remain professional and sane!
If you want to know what has worked for me, stay tuned for Part II.
