Collaboration with Special Education Colleagues and Related Services Professionals
When working with children with disabilities, early childhood educators may be asked
to work with numerous credentialed professional practitioners. It is important that
effective communication and collaboration take place. The following website provides
strategies to develop skills related to effective collaboration.
CONNECT Modules
The CONNECT modules are free online modules designed to help build early childhood
practitioners ability to engage in evidence-based decision making. Module 3: Communication
for Collaboration focuses on effective practices for communication with other professionals
and parents.
This module can be accessed at: http://community.fpg.unc.edu/connect-modules/learners/module-3
Project TaCTICS
TaCTICS (Therapists as Collaborative Team members for Infant/Toddler Community Services)
was an outreach training project funded by a U.S. Department of Education Grant. The
web site offers tools that are useful in skillfully navigating the path toward provision
of Part C Services using the child/family's daily routines, activities, and events
as a context for assessment and intervention.
http://tactics.fsu.edu/index.html
Achieve - Minnesota Center of Professional Development
Achieve - The Minnesota Center of Professional Development, offers resources related
to Relationship Based Professional Development. Relationship Based Professional Development
(RBPD) is a broad term used to refer to four types of professional assistance that
use relationships as a foundation: coaching, mentoring, consultation and technical
assistance. An overview of these relationships can be found at: https://www.mncpd.org/
Achieve also offers additional resources related to RBPD: https://www.mncpd.org/relationship-based-professional-development/
ERIC Digest #461
This digest provides an explanation of the different types of team models; multidisciplinary,
interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary.
http://ericae.net/edo/ed313867.htm
This journal article by DeVore, Miolo, and Hader explores the use of collaborative consultation within an early childhood education and care center. PDF