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IDEA 2004 http://idea.ed.gov/explore/home

Special Education Manual 2016 (Idaho) http://www.sde.idaho.gov/sped/shared/2016-Special-Education-Manual.pdf

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Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Dynamics of Collaboration

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Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Dynamics of Collaboration

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For the second half of our interview, Cynthia, Doug and I spoke on interpersonal and intrapersonal dynamics of collaboration especially with supervisors.

When is comes to the stages of development, Cynthia looks to “forming, storming and norming.” From this I understood that she views the formation of the collaborative team as step one, followed by working together.  Finally, you administer whatever the team has collaborated on.  She stated that her first step is to discuss shared values by determining why the group is gathered.  She also stated that it is important that sometimes you are the leader and sometimes you are the follower.

When it comes to individual roles and contributions, both Doug and Cynthia stated that whether tasks are viewed as negative or positive, you must be open and flexible to be an effective facilitator to the others on the team.

Important interpersonal skills to Cynthia are active listening, genuine warmth, being positive and using your intellect.  Doug added that it is important to have the ability to effectively articulate what you are trying to communicate.

When developing team relationships, Cynthia said that it was important to create a culture of safety and kindness.  To be an effective facilitator you need to be present and again practice active listening.  She also stated that you need to seek mutual benefit and appreciation.

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For my interview, I spoke with Cynthia and Doug.  Both are therapists at the school where I work.  We do not have a principal, nor do we have psychologists.  And I am the closest person we have to a special education director.  Because of Hipaa, I would be unable to talk to their psychologists.

We spoke on collaborative consultation.  Doug referred to the problem solving process which was the same one from the text book.  For him, this process has worked best then dealing with issues.  He saw key important steps as being the engagement and assessment planning, implantation, termination and follow up.  He also saw research as being an important form of collaboration.

The interactive process of collaboration which both Cynthia and Doug referenced was following best practices.  These best practices are methodologies which have empirical research behind them.  Cynthia believed that any member of a team should be ethically bound to expect competency from colleagues and to give competency in return.

Cynthia’s guiding principle to successful collaboration was to be open while hearing and responding; to keep an open mind in general.