Barriers to Parental Empowerment in the Context of Multidisciplinary Collaboration on Behalf of Preschool Children with Disabilities

Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research

卷:20

David Lansing Cameron¹ 

[1] University of Agder, Kristiansand;

关键词: Collaboration;    Disability;    Parents;    Empowerment;    Preschool;   

DOI  :  10.16993/sjdr.65

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of parents in multidisciplinary collaboration on behalf of their preschool-aged children with disabilities from the theoretical perspective of empowerment. The study employed a multiple-case study design, including twenty-six individual and two focus group interviews with parents and professionals supporting six children and their families. Three interconnected themes emerged from the analysis. First, parents struggled with navigating a system that was perceived as rigid and cumbersome. Second, parents often found themselves in the position of having to ‘police’ the professionals involved in supporting them. Third, parents expressed a desire to ‘just be parents’ and relinquish a degree of control to professionals. Findings highlight central dilemmas associated with the goal and process of empowerment in the provision of social, educational, and health-related support.

【 授权许可】

Unknown