Preparing for Difficult IEP Conversations: Collaborative Strategies for SLPs, BCBAs, and Educational Teams

Disagreements regarding services, supports, and educational programming are common during IEP meetings. However, conflict is often driven less by the disagreement itself and more by differences in expectations, communication styles, priorities, and perspectives. This session provides practical strategies for preparing for difficult conversations and navigating service-related disagreements among families, speech-language pathologists, behavior analysts, and educational teams. Drawing from communication science, conflict coaching, motivational Interviewing, mediation, behavioral science, and interdisciplinary collaboration, participants will learn practical tools to improve communication, increase participation, and promote productive problem-solving during high-stakes educational conversations. Particular attention will be given to preventing conflict before it escalates and strengthening collaboration when professionals hold differing perspectives regarding services and supports.

Speaker Name

Rosemarie Griffin, M.S., CCC/SLP BCBA

Speaker Name

Shawna K. Gugino, EdD, CCC-SLP

Start this Course

Preparing for Difficult IEP Conversations: Collaborative Strategies for SLPs, BCBAs, and Educational Teams

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

Identify common sources of conflict and is understanding during IEP meetings and interdisciplinary team discussions.

Describe at least three pre-meeting preparation strategies that reduce escalation and improve collaboration.

Apply communication techniques derived from mediation, conflict coaching and Motivational Interviewing to address disagreements regarding services and supports.

Utilize the SHIFT framework to support collaborative problem-solving during challenging educational conversations.

Rosemarie Griffin, M.S., CCC/SLP BCBA

Rosemarie Griffin is a dual-certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. She has extensive experience creating and delivering courses tailored for autistic children and professionals working with them. Her teaching style is clear, organized, and grounded in best practices.

Shawna K. Gugino, EdD, CCC-SLP

Dr. Shawna K. Gugino, EdD, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist, educator, mediator, and educational leader with more than 25 years of experience serving children, families, and interdisciplinary teams. She currently serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Speech-Language Pathology and has held leadership positions including Director of Special Education, Dean of Students, Assistant Superintendent, and Supervisor of MTSS. She is a trained special education mediator with the New York State Department of Education, and a certified Custody/Parenting Plan mediator for the New York State Unified Court System where she leverages her communication and behavioral training to support individuals, families and caregivers in resolving interpersonal conflict. Additionally, Dr. Gugino is a panel judge for the University at Buffalo School of Law mediation competition where she shares her expertise with future attorneys. Dr. Gugino holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University at Buffalo, where her research focused on the impact of ethics and education law in parental participation in special education decision-making. She also completed a post-doctoral Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis and is currently preparing for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination. Her training includes behavior analysis, Motivational Interviewing, conflict coaching, mediation, restorative practices, and educational leadership. Drawing from her unique background in speech-language pathology, special education law/ethics, behavioral science, conflict engagement, and systems leadership, Dr. Gugino helps professionals navigate complex educational conversations, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and improve outcomes for children and families.

Time

Session / Activity

0-5 minutes

Introduction and Why Conflict Happen: Common challenges in IEP meeting, Why expertise alone does not resolve disagreement, The role of communication in collaboration

5-15 minutes

Preparing Before the Meeting: Identifying stakeholder concerns, Anticipating areas of disagreement, Clarifying goals and desired outcomes, The SHIFT Pre-Meeting Preparation Process

15-25 minutes

Communication Strategies That Reduce Resistance: Listening versus persuading, Motivational Interviewing principles, OARS communication skills, Validation versus agreement, Perspective-taking strategies

25-35 minutes

When Professionals Disagree- Common conflicts between team members, SLP and BCBA perspectives, Service delivery disagreements, Maintaining professional relationships while advocating for recommendations

35-45 minutes

The SHIFT Framework in Action: Most conflict starts with confusion, Stop Explaining, SHIFT Meaning, Strategies for restoring shared understanding,Educational case example

45-50 minutes

Key Takeaways and Implementation Planning: Three questions to ask before every difficult meeting, Immediate action steps

50-60 minutes

Questions and Discussion

Preparing for Difficult IEP Conversations: Collaborative Strategies for SLPs, BCBAs, and Educational Teams

Rosemarie Griffin, M.S., CCC/SLP BCBA

Shawna K. Gugino, EdD, CCC-SLP

Course Objectives

Rosemarie Griffin, M.S., CCC/SLP BCBA

Shawna K. Gugino, EdD, CCC-SLP

Time-Ordered Agenda

Time

Session / Activity