ERIC Number: EJ767732
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 10
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-6434
EISSN: N/A
Recommended Practices and Parent Perspectives regarding AT Use in Early Intervention
Wilcox, M. Jeanne; Dugan, Lauren M.; Campbell, Philippa H.; Guimond, Amy
Journal of Special Education Technology, v21 n4 p7-16 Fall 2006
It frequently is suggested that parents underutilize assistive technology (AT) for their young children with disabilities despite wide spread recommended practices for providing optimal AT interventions (i.e., devices and services). However, neither parent perspectives of AT underutilization or families' experiences with AT have been reported in the literature. The purpose of this article is to provide information about families' experiences with AT for their infants and toddlers who are receiving early intervention services. Computer assisted telephone interviews were conducted with a sample of 924 parents or other family members of children receiving Part C early intervention services. Participants were asked about various aspects of their experiences with AT, including devices, success rates, and resources. Results indicate that for the most part, families identifying, using, and paying for various devices do so without professional assistance. Further, most devices they have tried, or are trying, are perceived as having limited success. When these results are considered with regard to previous research addressing provider perspectives in relation to families, substantive differences are apparent. To maximize early intervention outcomes using AT in early intervention, families may benefit from increased collaboration with their early intervention providers. (Contains 6 tables.)
Descriptors: Attitude Measures, Educational Technology, Disabilities, Assistive Technology, Early Intervention, Parent Attitudes, Special Needs Students, Young Children, Infants, Toddlers, Interviews, Parent Teacher Cooperation
Technology and Media Division of the Council for Exceptional Children. Available from: Boyd Printing Company, Inc. University of Oklahoma, College of Education, 820 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, OK 73072. Web site: http://jset.unlv.edu/shared/subscribe.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A

Peer reviewed
Direct link
