Links for More Information

Classroom Context

  1. This report summarizes some research findings on students’ perspectives on working with paraprofessionals in the classroom.
    http://www.advocacyinstitute.org
  2. The TIES Center has a number of resources to help educators and related services personnel work with students with significant cognitive disabilities. Its page called Communicative Supports links to various resources for face-to-face and virtual communication

Establishing and Maintaining Rapport

  1. This bulletin offers advice to adults on how to communicate effectively with children.
    http://pubs.ext.vt.edu
  2. This web site offers advice about how to communicate effectively with children, young people, and families and is highly applicable to classroom contexts.
    http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk
  3. This web page’s advice for teachers on building relationships with students applies, in large part, to paraprofessional educators as well.
    http://www.nea.org/tools
  4. Geared to parents and teachers, this advice on communicating with children is useful for paraprofessional educators as well.
    http://effectivecommunicationadvice.com/children
  5. This site focuses on preschoolers, and its tips on listening to children apply to adults working with older children too.
    https://www.pre-school.org.uk

Diversity and Communication

  1. This paper for educators identifies important issues in communicating with students from diverse linguistic cultures.
    https://www.naeyc.org
  2. Paraprofessionals sometimes work with students who have significant or complex communication needs. Some of these students benefit from Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC). This video from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital provides an overview of AAC.