Hidden Voices: Parents' Perspectives on the Impact of Full Inclusion on Their Preschool Children With Disabilities

• In Event: 31.091 - Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: 31.091-21 - Interrogating Inclusion and Exclusion in an International Context

Abstract

This paper describes a phenomenological study exploring parents’ experiences with a full-inclusion preschool program for their children with disabilities as well as parents’ perceptions on the children’s transition to kindergarten. Analysis of in-depth interview data from 14 parents examines central themes that are compared to key characteristics of inclusive early childhood programs found in the literature. Parents identified, as important, five themes related to the full-inclusion program philosophy, parental expectations, collaboration, confidence building, and support. This study can benefit educators interested in discovering the barriers to and facilitators of inclusion in early childhood programs as they work toward social justice. Specifically through parents’ voices, the potential impact of full-inclusion on the children and their families is revealed.

Authors

• Susan R. Warren, Azusa Pacific University

• Lori Sortino

• Richard S. Martinez, Azusa Pacific University