Navigating Group Dynamics in Special Education: Insights from an Applied Behavior Science Perspective

Quiana Hester ABS 331 11/2/2024 Final Paper: Applied Group Dynamics Applied Summary Paper This course taught me much about how groups function and where I fit within them. Being a special education assistant, I work closely with teachers, parents, and therapists. I work with them to ensure students get the support they need. By understanding group dynamics, I have improved my work with others. In my paper, I will reflect on my roles in groups, the stages of group development I’ve seen, how I’ve learned to manage conflict, and one key idea from this course that greatly impacted me. People take on specific roles in any group based on their skills and personality. From my experience, I often find myself playing the roles of a mediator and advocate. I step in as a mediator when we have an IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting to plan for a student’s needs. Parents and teachers sometimes have different views on what’s best for the student. For example, there might be a disagreement about whether students should get more time with a therapist or be in a general classroom more often. In moments like these, I try to make sure both sides are being heard while trying to keep the focus on the student’s needs. Besides being a mediator, I’m also an advocate for students, especially those who have trouble communicating or expressing their needs. Because of my background in child development and my studies in applied behavio