Date of Award

5-1991

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

This study was designed to survey and interview the following four groups of people: (1) Families who currently have children birth to five years of age and are receiving Early Childhood Special Education services; (2) Families who currently have children aged seven to eleven who did not receive Early Childhood Special Education services: (3) Professionals currently working with students aged seven to eleven who did not receive Early Childhood Special Education services; and (4) Professionals currently working with young children who are receiving Early Childhood Special Education services.

A survey form and interview format were developed to address the following questions relative to Family Assessment and the development of Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP's): (1) What types of services do families want for themselves and their Children?; (2) What types of services do professionals working in the field of education think families and children need?; (3) How do families feel about Family Assessment?; (4) How do professionals working in the .field of education feel about Family Assessment?; (5) How do families think Family Assessment can help them?; (6) How do professionals working in the field think Family Assessment can help families?; (7) How do families think IFSP's can help them?; and, (8) How do professionals working in the field of education think IFSP's can help families?

Inferential statistical procedures were used to analyze the data. The data gathered were first entered into the computer with a survey and interview run for each person who participated in the study. An item analysis was conducted for each response given. Frequency data were generated for each of the item responses.

Considering the fact that Public Law 99-457 (PL 99-457) was enacted in 1986 and went into effect in the fall of 1990, this researcher was struck by how little professionals and parents know about Family Assessment and Individual Family Services Plan's. The data gathered indicated that parents and professionals happen to have the same goals for services to children with handicaps. However, their perceptions of one another were dissimilar. Conununication between parents and professionals is the foundation for all interactions and relationships. Meaningful conununication seemed to be an area that needs to be cultivated if Family Assessment and Individual Family Service plan's are going to be successful in meeting their intended objectives.

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