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This paper presents specific strategies to assist collaborative consultation efforts by educators of students with disabilities. First, a definition of collaborative consultation is offered and advantages of this approach identified. Next, essential skills and strategies to gain acceptance and establish credibility in collaborative situations are examined. Essential skills include familiarity with both regular and special education programming and good interpersonal communication skills. Specific strategies for consultants include treating others with respect, sharing information about one's own skills, using appropriate language, modeling appropriate listening skills, modeling interview skills, giving and receiving feedback, and exercising situational leadership. Finally, a list of eight steps for initiating and carrying out collaborative consultation is offered. Steps include establishing the relationship, gathering information, identifying the problem, stating the target behavior, generating intervention strategies, implementing the intervention, evaluating the intervention, and withdrawing from the consulting relationship. (22 references) (DB)

This paper is intended to provide basic information to minority parents to support their involvement in the education of their gifted and talented children. The first section reviews federal and state (Georgia) definitions of gifted and talented as well as regulations concerning eligibility and retesting. The second section identifies typical characteristics of gifted and talented students in the areas of: motivation and interests, communication, memory, problem solving, inquiry, insight, reasoning, and imagination. The nurturing home environment is the focus of the third section which notes such nurturing aspects as achievement aspirations, language modeling, academic guidance, intellectuality, activities in the home, and work habits. The final section lists important resources--13 books, a publishing company, and three periodicals. Suggestions for minority parents conclude each section. (Contains 8 references.) (DB)