I may not do much testing these days, but I’m still a school psychologist at heart.
One thing that always set me apart from school psychologists who sometimes get a bad rap was my commitment to building genuine connections with families.
In my previous role, there was no set protocol for sharing evaluation results. We were expected to show up at the eligibility or IEP meeting and start discussing scores. It felt impersonal and, honestly, pretty uncomfortable to deliver such significant information in front of a full team.
At first, I tried sending the report to families in advance so they would have time to review it. That didn’t always work. Sometimes, they didn’t read it at all, and I found myself back at square one. Other times, they read the report but didn’t understand it, or they were left to process heavy information alone, which could be overwhelming.
Eventually, I started scheduling brief parent conferences before the team meeting to review the results together. That approach worked beautifully.
It ensured that families received the information, allowed me to explain anything confusing in plain language, and provided an opportunity to support them emotionally before the larger meeting. That personal connection made all the difference.
We discussed the power of connection during a recent Your IEP Source Office Hours Q&A call.
Right now, many families are preparing “All About Me” sheets and booklets for teachers as the new school year approaches. But here’s the thing: I don’t recommend them.
Giving a teacher a multi-page packet before they’ve even set up their classroom can feel like adding more to their already full plate—especially when they might receive 20 of these.
Instead, imagine this. Rutabaga’s mom stops by during Open House, drops off a few supplies from the teacher’s Amazon wishlist, and has a quick, meaningful conversation. She shares one key insight that truly matters. That simple, personal exchange leaves a stronger impression than any packet ever could.
The takeaway? Focus on connection, not information overload. It’s one of the best ways to start the school year on the right foot.
Dr. Brandi
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