Historically caregivers of individuals with disabilities have engaged in individual (for their children) and systemic advocacy (for others). Although it is widely known that caregivers advocate for their school-aged children with disabilities, little is known about how caregivers who have infants and toddlers (birth to three years old) with delays…

Children with multiple disabilities may experience significant disabilities in two or more areas of functioning including vision, motor, hearing, and communication such that they face limitations in social interactions throughout their daily lives (Bruce & Ivy, 2017). Many children have complex communication needs and evidence indicates that…

The purpose of this study was to explore and evaluate the necessary adaptations to the Family Behavior Support application (FBSApp) paired with collaborative coaching for Spanish-speaking families of young children with disabilities and co-occurring challenging behaviors (CB) in home contexts. We utilized a multi-phase mixed methods research…

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…

Center-based community early childhood programs are essential options for pre-kindergarten care and education. Consistent with federal legislation (IDEA, 2004), these settings should be accessible so that young children with disabilities can receive their special education services there. In the United States, fewer than 50% of children who…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to expand the scarce information available on how mothers first observe their children's early development, assess potential problems, and then come to recognize their concerns. In-depth knowledge about mothers' perspectives on the discovery process can help social workers to promote identification of…

Collaborations between public early care and education programs and private childcare centers offer families of young children high quality education and comprehensive services in addition to full-day, full year care. This case study examined early care and education collaborations in a rural county in a Midwest state. Major research questions…

Engagement is hypothesized to be an important mediating factor in young children's development and learning. A major purpose of early intervention for young children with disabilities is to promote child engagement. While child engagement and related factors have been descriptively investigated since the 1970s, few studies have systematically…

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate a practical application of social network analysis in the field of education using a large-scale data source. Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Base Year data, a network is identified by examining the connections that occur between supports, both inside and outside formal special education resources…

Given the negative outcomes associated with problem behavior and the heightened risk for children with disabilities to display problematic behavior, the current study implemented hierarchical linear modeling to explore the growth trajectories of problem behavior in a nationally representative sample of preschool children with disabilities. Results…

This qualitative case study investigated and described the views of both Head Start staff and a refugee family regarding adult fostering of foundational skills leading to self-determination in a young child at risk for disability as well as how these adults worked together in partnership. Chapter 1 provides an overview of this dissertation. It…

Transition to kindergarten is defined as an important milestone for young children. Transition from prekindergarten to kindergarten sets the stage for formal school. Academic success, parental involvement and teacher-to-teacher support are all the building blocks to future success for children with and without disabilities. As educators and…

Young children with special needs have been educated in classrooms for over 40 years. While their role in included classrooms has been debated for decades, children with special needs are to be educated with their general education peers with appropriate aids and supports (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004). While studies about the…

This study examined Early Childhood Special Educators' perceptions of play as a developmentally appropriate practice in special education prekindergarten classrooms in one southeastern school district. Through purposeful sampling, eight prekindergarten special educators were identified because they held multiple teaching certifications and some…

The prevalence rates of children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continue to rise at alarming rates. Recent figures suggest that approximately 1 in 90 children have an ASD. Children with ASD have significant deficits that affect communication skills and social interaction. Children with ASD may also engage in high levels of…