CASE STUDY 1:

You are having your first IEP meeting with a new family. The records you have indicate
that they are primarily Spanish-speaking, so you have arranged for a language
interpreter. The father states that he understands some English. During the visit, he
chooses to serve as the interpreter and relays the information, as he understands it, to
his wife. As a result, you find yourself being misunderstood, misinterpreted, and
misquoted by the father, and you are, therefore, unable to ensure that both the father
and the mother are receiving accurate information. Holding the conversation in English
seems to hold a special purpose to the father (adapted from Chen, Chan, Brekken,
Lynch, & Valverde, 1993).
1. What do you see as the problems in this case?
The problems in this case are that language presents a communication barrier
and that the desire to respect the fathers wishes and to make sure both the
mother and father receive all the information you hope to share accurately are in
opposition with each other.
2. What are some possible ideas for addressing or resolving the problems?
One idea I have is to ask the interpreter to act as a recorder and record all the
communication in a written format for the family. I would justify this by saying it
will help them to remember everything after the meeting and give them an
opportunity to refer to it in the future. I may also ask the father to repeat back to
me his understanding of what I shared and if it is inaccurate I could provide
clarification while acknowledging the pieces he understood correctly.
3. What potential solution would you try and why?
I would be inclined to try asking the interpreter to act as a record keeper and
present it as an option to support the family. I would do this because I know I
cannot ask the mother to sign the IEP if she doesnt accurately understand the
goals to make an informed decision.

CASE STUDY 2:

You are going to have your first IEP meeting with a Russian family. The family members
speak some English but are not fluent. You want the meeting to go well and to be a
positive beginning to your partnership with the family.
1. How will you plan and structure the meeting to accomplish your goals?
I would explain to the family I have requested the support of an interpreter due to
the technical nature of the communication and the importance of good
communication and explain that the interpreter would be bound to confidentiality.
I would share that my intention is to make sure that all information is clearly
communicated and that the representatives of the school understand all of their
input and give it equal weight. I would explain to them that I want them to feel
welcome and comfortable and to have every opportunity to be an active
participant in the process.
2. What things should and should not take place during the meeting to accomplish
your goals?
I would provide translated documents and ask the interpreter to contribute
respectfully as necessary letting the parents take the lead and providing support
if needed. I would not allow any forms to be signed without confirming that all
information is clearly understood and agreed upon.