1. Communication & Interaction Strategies
Special Education Paraprofessional Workbook
Module 5

2. Causes of Communication Breakdowns
External communication barriers
Internal communication barriers
Lack of interest or attention
Failure to listen
Failure to clarify comments
Childhood teachings
Failure to see a person as an individual
Interruptions
Lack of self-confidence
Ignorance of your projected image

3. Approaches to Communication
Aggression
Passive
Passive aggressive
Assertive

4. Effective Strategies Maintain a pleasant tone of voice.
Vary your speed.
Choose your words carefully.
Use “I” messages rather than “you” messages.
Use a person’s name.
Use the appropriate nonverbal cues.
Ask meaningful questions.
Choose an appropriate time for communicating.

5. Handling Negative Feelings
Recognize responsibility for personal faults.
Discuss your negative feelings.
Describe the issue or behavior without emotion.
Use “I” messages.
Discuss your problem without making accusations.
Do not bring up already-settled issues.
Follow the guidelines for effective communication.

6. Skills for Effective Listening
Prepare to listen.
Listen to what the speaker is and is not saying.
Concentrate.
Be empathetic.
Have an open mind.
Judge the content, not the delivery.
Repeat what you think you heard for clarification.
Provide feedback.

7. Nonverbal Communication

8. Interacting with Teachers and Parents
General strategies
Interacting with teachers
Interacting with parents

9. Interacting with Students
Treat all equally
Acknowledge
Behavior management techniques
Positive feedback every day
Student first, not disability
Address student directly
Encouraging rather than correcting

10. Students with Traumatic Brain Injuries
Strategies?

11. Students with Deafness or Hearing Impairment
Strategies?

12. Students with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism
Strategies?

13. Students with Specific Learning Disability
Strategies?

14. Students with Orthopedic Impairment
Strategies?

15. Students with Emotional Disturbance
Strategies?

16. Students with Speech or Language Impairment
Strategies?

17. Students with Other Health Impairment
Strategies?

18. Students with Visual Impairment (including Blindness)
Strategies?

19. Communication and Privacy
School policies about sharing student information
FERPA requirements
Sample scenarios?

20. Questions?