The art of collaboration : lessons from families of children with disabilities / Katherine G. Shepherd, Colby T. Kervick and Djenne-amal N. Morris.

Includes bibliographical references.

Acknowledgements -- Introduction and Overview -- Who We Are -- Exploring the Research: Historical and Legal Roots of Family-Professional Collaboration -- Parent Involvement in General Education -- Historical, Legal, and Theoretical Underpinnings of Parent Participation in Special Education -- From Theory and Law to Practice: Studies of Parent Involvement -- Chapter Summary -- Identifying a Disability.-Conceptualizing Disability: Naming the Process -- Parents' Journeys to Diagnosis -- Possibilities for Collaboration -- Chapter Summary.-Understanding Parents as Actors and Experts -- Becoming Experts and Actors: Key Roles of Parents -- Back to the Cliche: Understanding Parents as Experts -- Chapter Summary -- Joining Parent and Professional Knowledge -- The Nature of Professional Knowledge -- Parent Expectations of Professionals and the Program -- Strategies for Joining Parent and Professional Knowledge -- Chapter Summary -- Enhancing Collaboration.-What Makes It Work? Definitions and Characteristics of Collaboration as Identified in the Literature -- What Makes It Difficult? Barriers to Collaboration as Identified in the Literature -- Why Is It So Difficult? Family Perspectives on Barriers to Collaboration -- Chapter Summary -- Finding Voice: Promoting Advocacy, Choice, and Leadership.-Resources and Tools for Promoting Knowledge and Advocacy -- Tools for Promoting Choice and Family Engagement -- Tools for Promoting Leadership and Advocacy -- Chapter Summary -- Building Capacity for Collaboration: Nurturing Self-Efficacy, Resiliency and Hope.-Resiliency; Growth Mindset -- Advice for the Journey to Collaboration: From Parents, for Parents -- Advice for Professionals; Looking within and Beyond; Chapter Summary -- Conclusion -- Clarifying the Purpose of Collaboration -- Focusing on Human Dimensions and Relationships.-Recognizing the Power of Formal and Informal Knowledge; Advocating for Improved Conditions for Collaboration -- Incorporating Strategies and Tools Focused on Collaboration as a Developmental and Growth-Oriented Process -- Encouraging Families to Participate in Activities That Link Them to Others -- Acknowledging the Need for Broader Social Change.-Final Thoughts -- About the Authors.