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What Triggers a Parent-School Crisis?
Three factors increase the odds of a crisis:
The
“Last Straw”
Every crisis is triggered by a precipitating event -- the “last straw.” Parents usually remember the “last straw” because it was emotionally significant. Perhaps the crisis forced the parent to face the reality of the child’s problems. Instead of improving, the child’s problems got worse. At the beginning of a crisis, you are likely to feel overwhelmed. You don’t know what to do. You know that time is running out. This creates a sense of urgency, and a crisis is born. Feelings
of Betrayal
If you are like most parents, you trusted the advice and recommendations you received from school staff. What happens if you learn that your child has fallen further behind in the special education program that was recommended and provided by these school personnel? From your perspective, the school’s program damaged your child. Under these circumstances, feelings of anger and betrayal are nearly inevitable. Parents are not alone with feelings of betrayal. When a child's parents request a due process hearing, the school staff who were working with the child often feel betrayed too. "We worked so hard to help that child - we didn't think the parents would sue us!" In
a crisis, you will feel frightened, confused, guilty, angry, and
helpless. Your common sense and good judgment vanish.
What
should you do? In a crisis, your first response is likely to be
a big mistake!
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Every crisis is triggered by a precipitating event. Here are common events
that trigger crises and requests for help from parents. The school: