Although we might not always realize it, sometimes school psychologists lose track of the impact we have on parents. This was brought home to me a few months back during a case conference. It was the third or fourth meeting of the day, a fairly routine staffing of a cute little seven-year old girl (we'll call her Margaret). The evaluation team found that she had a reading disability that would qualify her for academic support services.

Margaret's dad, a Captain in the U.S.Army, attended the case conference. Dressed in his well pressed, camouflage uniform, he cut an impressive image of a tough American warrior. He was recently back home from a 16-month tour of duty in Baghdad, where he had served as an officer in a tank unit. I could only imagine the things he must have seen and done while in Iraq. He entered the conference room, uncertain of the protocol as to where he should sit. I suggested the head of the table; after all, he was Margaret's dad.

The meeting proceeded typical of the other meetings held that day. The teacher presented her observations, the resource teacher went over her educational testing, and I presented my psych report. As I reported my findings, I looked up and noticed that Margaret's dad was in tears. He said he was upset that he had not noticed the problem with "Daddy's little girl" earlier. Of course, we all made overtures to assuage the man's emotions, but his pain was real and he knew how to handle it.

As tough as this dad was, hearing that his little girl had a reading problem had a real impact on him. It brought him to tears. It was very moving. I have told this story dozens of times, because it reminds me of the impact we as school psychologists have on parents. Next time you are meeting with parents at a case conference, maybe it's your fourth meeting of the day, maybe it's just a "routine" learning disability; think of Margaret's Dad and the impact of what you are telling those parents.

My thanks to Margaret's Dad for his service. Peace.

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