Education Commons^™

Understanding The Emergence Of Self-Determination In Children With Disabilities Through Family Experiences In Early Childhood: A Qualitative Study, Karen K. Lange

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract A person’s ability to be self-determined begins to develop through the earliest interactions in life within the context of the family and caregiving environments. This qualitative phenomenological study of the experiences of eight parents representing seven families of young children explored how families promote their children’s early development of the skills, abilities, and attitudes of self-determination. The critical importance of the family context for the promotion of self-determination in young children is seen in the four themes that emerged from the experiences shared by these families. (1) The family context is transformed by a child with a disability, changing …

Disparities In Autism Diagnosis: The Role Of Cultural Perceptions And Systemic Bias, Mary H. Jones

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. This article discusses the key characteristics, diagnosis, and disparities in ASD diagnosis and treatment, focusing on the Black community. The article also highlights the role of cultural competence in education and family involvement in advocating for appropriate services for children with ASD.

Eds 702: The Young Child With Special Needs, Lingyu Li

Open Educational Resources

This introductory course addresses the concept of disability and the field of special education. It will also consider the social, cultural, and economic context surrounding the education of young children (birth to 8 years) with a wide range of developmental delays and disability conditions. Pertinent legislation, intervention with families, developing Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs), Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and issues of advocacy will be studied within the context of the continuum of service delivery (home-based, center-based, and school-based interventions). (15 fieldwork hours required.)

Alternative Education Center Teachers' Experiences With Identifying Dyslexia Characteristics In Students: A Phenomenology, Natasha P. Peoples

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explore the experiences of 10 participants teaching at a North Texas alternative education center, focusing on identifying dyslexia characteristics. The research is grounded in self-efficacy theory and phonological deficit theory, which both contribute to understanding lifelong effects of reading difficulties, particularly dyslexia. Self-efficacy theory emphasizes task-specific beliefs, while phonological deficit theory underscores the importance of accurate letter sound representation for a strong alphabetic foundation. Employing a phenomenological approach, the study gathers participants' perceptions, employing a triangulation method for data collection through interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis. Data analysis followed Moustakas' modification of the Van Kaam method to …

Power Of Partnership: The Effects Of Parent Training In Aided-Language Input On The Use Of Core Vocabulary Boards In The Homes Of Preschool Children: A Program Evaluation, Stephanie Jean Smith

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems play a crucial role in enhancing communication, language development, and learning for children with complex communication needs (CCN). Research suggests that AAC can significantly improve interaction with communication partners and mitigate risks in various developmental areas such as functional communication skills, speech, social engagement, and academic participation.

Early intervention is paramount for children with CCN to foster speech and language development, enabling them to express needs, interact socially, and lay the groundwork for future language skills. Introducing AAC systems early on and ensuring frequent exposure are essential for natural integration. Parents and caregivers must …

Policy Brief: Investigating School-Based Programs That Support Student Mental Health And Psychosocial Wellbeing In Low- And Middle-Income Countries, Syeda Kashfee Ahmed, Anna Dabrowski, Katherine Dix

Global education monitoring

School closures and disruptions to mental health services linked to the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly impacted the lives of children, young people and their families. Now, more than ever, schools are expected to provide emotional and psychosocial support and stability to students, educators and other school staff. Education systems are therefore investing more resources into school-based mental health programs to ensure they can provide the required level of support, in addition to acknowledging the need for social-emotional skill development. The ever-growing number of school-based mental health and wellbeing programs make it challenging to identify programs that are effective. It is …

The Effectiveness Of Jasper Program Tasks For Early Intervention In Developing Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Skills, Moza S. Aldarmaki Phd

International Journal for Research in Education

The current study aims to use JASPER program components; joint attention, symbolic play, engagement, and regulation to develop the skills of children with autism and reduce the level of disorder. The study sample consisted of 7 children (3 males and 4 females) in addition to their mothers, the children were enrolled in one of the centers for people with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates. The chronological ages of the sample were between 6 to 8 years. The study used a set of tools to achieve the objectives of the study, including the scale of Jasper tasks for Early Intervention, …

The Signed Linguistic Input Of Hearing Mothers To Children Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing, Aleah S. Brock

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

This study investigated the distribution of ten facilitative language techniques (FLTs) in the linguistic input of hearing, signing mothers to their children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). Four hearing mothers and their DHH children under the age of three participated in six, ten-minute caregiver-child interaction sessions via Zoom. The recorded sessions were coded for mother FLTs and child utterances. Results indicated that the mothers tended to use more initiative than responsive types of FLTs, consistent with findings of previous studies that examined the input of mothers who were using spoken-only language with their children who are DHH. …

Parent And Provider Perspectives On Early Intervention In Ohio: A Community Collaborative Approach, Jessa Reed, Ursula M. Findlen, Carrie Davenport, Cheryl Deconde Johnson, Maria Sentelik, Carrie Spangler, Wendy Steuerwald, Derek Houston

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

The network of early intervention (EI) for families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) consists of multiple professionals that partner with parents. As part of a community collaborative initiative, diverse perspectives were gathered via online surveys as part of a state-wide needs assessment to evaluate the landscape of EI in Ohio. The qualitative and quantitative feedback were analyzed in light of the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing’s (2007) goals and the 2013 early intervention supplement to those goals. Care coordination and equitable access emerged as top priorities across all three stakeholder groups queried (audiologists, EI providers, …

Connection Impacts Experience During Early Intervention And Elco Process, Gabriela Fuentes

Poster Presentations

This partnership with the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MECDHH) led to a comprehensive understanding of program management and immersion in the Deaf community, providing insight into their unique cultural norms. The poster showcases the early intervention experiences of families and children through the Exploring Language Communication Opportunities (ELCO) process.

Saudi Parents As Advocates For Their Young Children With Disabilities: Reflections On The Journey, Sadeem A. Alolayan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Although special education advocates have played an essential role in obtaining rights for individuals with disabilities, there is still much unknown about their motivations, challenges, roles, and the meaning they made from their experiences. Research into Saudi parent advocates of children with disabilities and their complex daily life issues have seldom been investigated, with rare studies that focus solely on Saudi early intervention services needs and supports. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of Saudi parents of children with developmental disabilities who are special education advocates in their communities. One of the goals of this study was to …

Re-Examining State Part C Early Intervention Program Coordinators’ Practices Through A Positive Lens On Leadership: A Qualitative Secondary Analysis, Sarika S. Gupta, Victoria Sherif, Xiaohan Zhu

The Qualitative Report

Part C early intervention is a program administered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004) that provides services to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Part C coordinators oversee the program in states. This article presents an examination of state Part C program coordinators’ leadership practices. We conducted a qualitative secondary analysis to explore the practices that Part C program coordinators described using in a prior study on the processes, barriers, and solutions during a systems change. The present study used two new theoretical frameworks – organizational drivers for systems change and a strengths-based orientation – …

Early Intervention Speech-Language Pathologists’ Knowledge, Beliefs, And Practices Surrounding Culturally And Linguistically Responsive Assessment Practices For Dual Language Learners, Rebecca Lynne Jarzynski

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Early intervention (EI) speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are required to provide culturally and linguistically responsive assessments for dual language learners (DLLs) within an increasingly diverse population. Previous research has documented gaps between SLPs’ beliefs related to assessments for DLLs and their implementation of best practices within school-based and pediatric outpatient settings. The purpose of this present research study was to better understand the current knowledge, beliefs, and practices of EI SLPs in relation to the use of culturally and linguistically responsive assessment practices within the context of EI programs. A total of 134 EI SLPs completed a nationwide survey in which …

Caregiver Experiences In The Implementation Of Learning In Early Intervention For Children With Hearing Loss, Melissa D. Jensen

All Theses, Dissertations, and Capstone Projects

While caregivers’ personal experiences in the newborn hearing screening and diagnosis period have been documented extensively in the literature, there has been limited investigation into their learning in early intervention. This qualitative study sought to understand the lived experiences of caregivers with young children with hearing loss who took part in early intervention services. To do this, 15 caregivers participated in semi-structured, in-depth, qualitative interviews. From these interviews, six themes were uncovered. The themes were: benefits of intervention, barriers to intervention and carry-over of learning, changes to interactions with child, areas of additional needs and wants, caregiver advocacy, and what-ifs. …

The Effects Of Early Identification And Intervention On Reading Scores At The Kindergarten Level, Cara Milby

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Research indicates that reading fluently is the key to success: academically, economically, socially, as well as to a healthier lifestyle (Forrest, 2018; Wanzek et al., 2018). While research has shown that Response to Intervention (RTI) is a positive instructional program that will increase primary students’ academic abilities at grades 1 and 2 (Richards et al., 2007), there is a need for more research regarding RTI with kindergarten students. This quasi-experimental quantitative research study examined if early identification and intensive intervention through the addition of Response to Intervention (RTI) at the kindergarten level will lead to increased reading scores and better …

Responding To Escalating Student Behavioral Health Needs : A Comparative Case Study Of Multi-Tiered System Of Support Team Functioning, Randi Bargo-Smith

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The state of youth behavioral health in the United States was a public health crisis before the overwhelming challenges presented by the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, and now, the situation is even more dire. The impacts of youth behavioral health challenges are pervasive and long-lasting for youth, their families, and the entire community. It is critical to identify innovative ways that youth behavioral health is being addressed in schools and understand how comprehensive school mental health systems including multi-tiered system of support teams are functioning. This comparative case study investigated the functioning of two high school multi-tiered system of …

How Do Early Interventionists Adapt Instruction When Delivering Services In Natural Environments?, Brian C. Wysong

Theses and Dissertations

Early Interventionists (EIs) play a pivotal role in supporting development for young children with disabilities. It is vital that they are able to support child and family outcomes through building strong partnerships with families, utilizing best practices, and individualizing services to children and families. The purpose of this study was to explore early interventionists’ perceptions regarding how they adapted instruction when delivering services in natural environments. Specifically, this study aimed to understand how changes in the child’s skill level, interests, and level of engagement affected early interventionists’ decision-making process during service delivery. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured …

An Assessment Of 50 State Early Hearing Detection And Intervention Websites: Is Needed Information Being Provided For Parent Decision Making?, Nichole Westin, Donna Sorkin

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Growth of the Internet as an information resource has provided expanded opportunities for families to easily gather information on a range of topics, including health related topics. State Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) websites and other electronic data sources are an important opportunity to support families seeking information on options for their children who have been identified as deaf or hard of hearing. A review was undertaken between August and September 2021 of the 51 US EHDI (state and DC) websites and related information (such as links to others’ sites) to determine if information that is specifcally discussed in …

Attending To Attention: A Systematic Review Of Attention And Reading, Sarah M.R. Eisensmith, Premela G. Deck, Melissa R. Jenkins, April Harris Britt, Kirsten Kainz, David Ansong

International Journal of School Social Work

Background: Extensive research has conclusively linked inattention to poor reading performance. The process by which this relation occurs remains somewhat undefined, which makes it difficult for practitioners to identify key intervention targets. Objectives: This systematic review will synthesize current peer-reviewed research on the developmental relationship between inattention and reading. The primary aim of this review was to describe how inattention negatively relates to the development of literacy from preschool through middle childhood. A secondary aim of this review was to summarize recent research on the potential differential relationship between attention and literacy among students overrepresented in ratings of inattention, including …

Addressing The Need For Training More School Psychologists To Serve Toddlers And Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Therese L. Mathews, Edward J. Daly Iii, Gina M. Kunz, Ashley M. Lugo, Paige Mcardle, Katy Menousek, Kevin A. Kupzyk

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has risen significantly in the past two decades. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of mental health providers who have specialized training in delivering evidenced-based services to this population. Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) is an evidenced-based treatment recommended for toddlers with ASD, and school psychologists are uniquely positioned to help children with ASD receive it. However, many school psychologists do not receive adequate training in this subspecialty. This paper makes recommendations to school psychology training programs about how to add or improve training in this subspecialty based on the results of an Office …

The Involvement Of Parents Of Students With Disabilities In Rural Early Head Start Programs: A Case Study, Cassandra Annette Justice

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to describe parent participation for home-based educators and parents at an Early Head Start home-based program in rural Appalachia. Parental participation in the Early Head Start home-based program was generally defined as the active participation of children with disabilities’ parents in a home-based program guided by home-based educators through the implementation of early intervention services. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs guided this study, as it relates to both identifying barriers that may prevent parents from being involved and illuminates how Early Head Start educators help families meet growth and developmental needs. The …

How Hearing Parents With Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing Children Construct Deafness Through Their Early Intervention Experience, Bettie T. Petersen

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

This dissertation explores how hearing parents with deaf/hard of hearing children come to understand deafness. This mixed methods study used an online survey and multiple case studies (volunteers from survey). Participants were asked about early intervention experiences and beliefs about deafness. The survey had 74 respondents and five families participated in the interviews. Survey participants’ beliefs about deafness were primarily medical, focusing on the perceived barriers caused by deafness and the remediation of those barriers through spoken language options. A small number of respondents adopted a cultural perspective of deafness and focused on remediation of barriers through involvement in the …

Family Centered Practices For Children Receiving Home Intervention Services, Jessica Winter

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This action research was driven by the researcher’s desire to learn about early intervention services. Specifically, children’s progress with expressive communication using family-centered practices in the natural environment and a caregiver present. The researcher is an early childhood special education consultant in her eighth year of teaching. The data was collected over the course of eight weeks during early intervention services for four children with communication delays. Findings reveled throughout the eight weeks, there may not be a large advancement of a child’s expressive communication skills through early intervention services.

Working With Families Of Young Children Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing Through Tele-Intervention, Amanda M. Rudge Phd, Betsy Moog Brooks Edd, Arlene Stredler-Brown Phd

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Tele-intervention services have been utilized for many years to serve families of young children, in addition to or in lieu of traditional in-person intervention services. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic cultivated urgent dependence on access to effective services via a distance connection. As such, the need for information, guidance, and resources related to tele-intervention as a primary service model has increased. This article serves as the introduction to a monographic series aiming to describe practices, circumstances, and perceptions surrounding tele-intervention services for families of children aged birth to five who are deaf or hard of hearing. Topics include: (a) a brief …

Dir Floortime Therapy, Rebecca C. Matheson

LC Journal of Special Education

DIR Floortime Therapy is a social pragmatic approach used to help children with autism develop stronger verbal and social skills. Dr. Stanley Greenspan determined there were six milestones all children must master in order to develop appropriate language and social skills. DIR Floortime Therapy engages with the child through play in order to create a naturalistic environment that helps children achieve these milestones. While the approach is not evidence based, several studies have been conducted using DIR Floortime Therapy to strengthen language and social skills in young children with autism. The majority of these studies found a greater increase in …

Risk, Families, And Interventions In Early Childhood Special Education, Angela Deeds

LC Journal of Special Education

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of key characteristics of early childhood special education and early intervention services. This paper seeks to explain key concepts that will aid professionals in their daily interactions with students, families, other professionals, and the outside community. The major topics that will be addressed are the determination of risk in ECSE, types of interventions used with young children with disabilities, and the family as an important collaborator in providing ECSE and EI services. The paper will then conclude with a discussion that addresses the salient point of the article and …

Non-Responders: Current Findings In Reading Instruction As Related To Students Unresponsive To Early Intervention, Susan E. Sperduto

LC Journal of Special Education

Questions still remain about whether or not current research – based reading instruction is effective for all students. There is a population of students that continue to struggle to learn how to read despite the use of research – based instruction. This population of students has been termed “non – responders” or “treatment resisters.” The emphasis on research – based reading instruction has promoted an increase of reading levels among students in the United States; however, the limited amount of research on the needs of students who are non – responder has yielded mixed reviews. The following paper will address …

Transition: Early Intervention To Preschool, Kim Thiesse

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) requires all Individualized Family Service (IFSP) plans to address transition. Early Intervention programs must initiate and discuss the transition process from early intervention to school-based services with each family at least 90 days before the child’s third birthday. Transition should be a process of information sharing and planning for each individual family. The transition process can be very stressful for many families because services, service providers, location, and delivery of services change. Preschool is often a family’s first experience with a school environment, successful collaboration and communication through the transition phase enhances the …

Early Intervention Occupational Therapy Program Development Abroad, Hattie Fleming, Karen Park

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This program aimed to address the disparity in access to early intervention (EI) occupational therapy (OT) services which exists in certain communities abroad. This project worked with The Inspiration Center (TIC) in Belize, a community identified through needs assessment as having limited access to OT services, to expand current programming to include EI OT services, to increase understanding of the role of OT, to advocate for the OT profession within Belize, and to increase access to EI services for families with children with disability and/or developmental delay within the country. An emphasis was placed on caregiver coaching and culturally responsive …

Maternal Depression Moderated By Family Resources When Children Have Developmental Disabilities., Timothy B. Smith, Terisa P. Gabrielsen

Faculty Publications

Children with developmental disabilities require extensive parental involvement in intervention, but parents with depression may be less able to intervene effectively. We examined prevalence of depression symptoms and predictors among 131 mothers of children with disabilities enrolled in early childhood special education. Participants completed several self-report measures of depression and child and family functioning. Children were directly evaluated using the Battelle Developmental Inventory. One year later, 68 mothers repeated self-report measures. Participants (30%) reported elevated depression symptoms across time. Depression scores were correlated with parental stress and family resources. An interaction between higher maternal depression and higher child functioning with …