Family Perspective Interview Paper

Family Perspective Interview - Interviewing My Aunt on Her IEP Child

I interviewed my aunt for this assignment. I asked her about her experience with her IEP child and its effectiveness. My aunt has two children, a boy, and a girl. My cousin is an IEP child (school age) and has been since he was two years old. He has always had a special education teacher, but twice in his life, he has had an aide. The aide came in after my cousin graduated kindergarten to help transition him into first grade, and then there was no aide until the end of first grade when she left because she was going to college. Her name is Julie (not her real name), and I still keep in touch with her now and then for support for my cousin.

My aunt started the interview by saying that my cousin has always been a very smart child. He was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and even before he entered school he already knew basic math. He is not on any medication to treat his ADHD, but she said it would help him a lot if he did. My aunt said she has always had a good relationship with the teachers, aides, and the principals of the schools my cousin has attended. She said that his teacher does everything in her power to make sure my cousin can make it to where he needs to be in his education. They play educational games, read books, do hands-on activities together, and work independently.

Her participation in the initial and ongoing IEP processes was very helpful. She is also very organized. She knows every person involved (the teachers, aides, etc.) and what their role is. She feels comfortable asking the teachers and principals questions and can relay information back and forth between them without a problem. There were times in the process when she wanted more involvement from the teacher or teacher aide, but after explaining her situation, she usually got her way.

My aunt tells me that my cousin was an excellent student. He was always on the honor roll, worked way ahead of his class (because I'm related to him, I know), and got good grades. My aunt is a powerful woman and will hold his teacher's hand all the way to ensure he is going to excel in school. She said they go over goals and plans together before the school year starts, and if my cousin is making progress, they adjust the goal or plan so he can achieve it by the time school ends.

If my aunt had a magic wand, she says that she would change his behavior and make it so that he is not as anxious. She said that if he were not as anxious, things would be a lot easier, especially with the transitions at school. If she had a magic wand to change his behavior, then the school system and IEP process would be seamless and easy for her, but it's not. My aunt feels that if the school system could have a person follow my cousin throughout the day to make sure there is no disruption, disruption in other people's education, anxiety in him (so he doesn't feel like he has to do everything alone), etc., then that would work best for her.

My interview was very insightful into the current IEP process and what is involved from an eyewitness and having experience with my family member. After the interview, my aunt and I went over some of the struggles she has faced with my cousin and how she has handled them (the good and the bad). In addition, it was very helpful to go over some similar struggles that others have experienced. Overall, it helped me learn a little more about this part of education and how certain teachers have a place in it.