Father involvement in education has been shown to result in a range of positive outcomes for typically developing children. However, the nature of paternal involvement in the education of children with disabilities and especially autism has been under-researched and is little understood. This study aimed to explore the nature of the involvement of…

The transdisciplinary approach to the education of handicapped preschool children involves frequent meetings between team members and parents. The meetings address the areas of assessment, diagnosis and goal setting, planning and program implementation, and evaluation of both the program and the child. (PHR)

The first National Conference for Parents of the Handicapped (Indianapolis, Indiana, 1980) is summarized. Contents of 11 workshop presentations are described, including parents' roles as advocates, parental concerns, the influence of diet on behavior, genetics, in home respite care, legal issues, and parent coalitions and organizations. An…

The authors share their ideas on how parental assertiveness can help parents in educational planning for children with disabilities. (SB)

As one phase of "Strengthening Navajo Education," a Navajo Division of Education program initiated in 1976, this conference focused on the role of the parent in ensuring appropriate services for the exceptional Navajo child. The one-day meeting, attended by 132 parents from 27 communities, had the following goals: (1) to identify the…

A parent center supported by the Albuquerque Public School System and the University of New Mexico promotes cooperation between parents and educators to serve exceptional children. The center was based on assumptions about money, time, personnel, parent heterogeneity, and needs/strengths as delineated in the "Mirror Model of Parent Involvement."…

Questionnaires on individualized education programs (IEPs) were completed by 168 parents of handicapped children (10 to 17 years old). Analysis of the ten participant categories (i.e., mother, teacher, psychologist) found that two participant categories, the child's mother and the special education teacher, attended at least one IEP conference 75%…

Suggestions for special education teachers preparing for parent-teacher conferences include: preparing a folder showing students' tests, assignments, and progress; and encouraging a two-way dialogue by providing a supportive environment. Suggestions for parents include being responsive and receptive to teachers' suggestions and asking for…

This paper provides Indian parents of children with disabilities with information from the Education for Parents of Indian Children with Special Needs Project concerning communication between Indian parents and non-Indian service providers. Five basic strategies for effective communication are reviewed: (1) when you do not understand, ask for…

Public Laws 94-142 and 99-457 mandate the provision of surrogate parents to represent parentless disabled children in acquiring educational services. Described are the rights and responsibilities of surrogate parents, their role in case conferences and in development of individualized education programs, and the activities of the Indiana Surrogate…

This book discusses several types of parent-teacher conferences and issues relevant to parent-teacher conferences in 10 chapters. Chapter 1 outlines a working model for successful parent-teacher conferences. Research on parent attitudes and relationships with teachers is summarized in chapter 2. Chapter 3 discusses communication topics, including…

A study assessed parental satisfaction or concern with the identification, placement, and review process as developed and implemented by the Special Education Department of the Toronto Board of Education. Interviews were completed with 208 parents who participated in the process during January and February 1986. Fifty-eight percent of the parents…

Designed for Hmong parents of students with disabilities living in Oregon, this brochure describes the general mediation process that parents can use to resolve special education services disputes with schools. It begins by discussing what mediation is and the characteristics of a trained mediator. It addresses the requirement for making mediation…

Designed to assist parents and teachers in understanding the complex procedures of special education, this book describes the process for obtaining school services for children with disabilities. An introduction reviews six major provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that relate to children's rights to a free,…

Designed to assist Spanish-speaking parents and teachers in understanding special education procedures, this book describes the process for obtaining school services for children with disabilities. An introduction reviews six major provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that relate to children's rights to a free,…