Date of Graduation
2018
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Type
PhD
College
College of Education and Human Services
Department
Learning Sciences and Human Development
Committee Chair
Amy Root
Committee Co-Chair
Jessica Troilo
Committee Member
Kim K. Floyd
Committee Member
Michael Mayton
Committee Member
Melissa Sherfinski
Abstract
The purpose of this Grounded Theory study was to understand parents of children with autism’s perceptions of early intervention involvement, satisfaction, transition into and out of EI, and goals for their children’s development. Twenty parents participated in initial interviews and 13 parents participated in follow-up interviews. Data were analyzed and a theory was generated to describe parents’ experiences. Parents described their experiences and goals for their children in three stages: before, during, and after EI. In each of these stages, social and language/communication were a primary focus of parents’ goals for their children’s development. Prior to EI, parents expressed a high level of frustration with the referral process into EI. Parental agency was key in gaining access to EI services. During EI, parents described high levels of satisfaction, involvement and collaboration with service providers. After EI, parents again described high levels of frustration with access to services in the public school setting, with several parents having to seek private therapy. Parental selfeducation and the community of parents of children with autism were critical in helping parents gain access to services for their children. These findings highlight a need for more identification programs prior to EI and support programs for parents after aging out of EI.
Recommended Citation
Bougher-Muckian, Hilary R., "“Couldn’t it be Birth to Five?”: Parents’ Perceptions of Early Intervention for their Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder" (2018). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 7163.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/7163