Geographic mobility and special education services: Understanding the experiences of Canadian military families

Abstract

Introduction: American research suggests that stressors associated with growing up in a military family, including geographic mobility, may affect the academic performance and school participation of military-connected children. Students requiring special education may be particularly vulnerable to impacts. Because this issue has not been explored in a Canadian context, the objective of this study was to explore the experience of geographic mobility for Canadian military families and their children’s access to special education services. Methods: Informed by interpretive phenomenological analysis, nine female parents of children with special education needs growing up in Canadian military families were interviewed. Results: Three superordinate themes emerged: Transitioning to new special education systems and services takes an emotional toll on families; active and persistent advocacy and communication strategies to access services are critical; and families struggle to balance securing special education services with career implications. Discussion: Given the common experience of high mobility among military families, future studies should explore different perspectives of the transition experience and barriers to access, including those of educators, school administrators, and active Canadian Armed Forces members.

Charting a course to support military families navigating service systems for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A qualitative study

“…33 Furthermore, a recent Canadian study undertaken to document military family delays in accessing primary and specialist care aft er relocation echoes these recommendations. 34 Other recent Canadian research on military-connected children's access to special education 35 makes noticeably similar recommendations for support: the need for strong selfand assisted-advocacy; the need for better information on relocation; the desire for a support group; and outreach for families living off base. Evidently, military families with special education needs are facing parallel challenges to those navigating health care systems in Canada.…”

Mental Health of Canadian Children Growing Up in Military Families: The Child Perspective

“…There were few studies targeting the risk associated with parental injury in Cramm, McColl, et al’s (2019) scoping review, but included studies indicate that the mental health challenges of parents can negatively impact child mental health. Primary research published after the 2016 cut-off date for Cramm, McColl, et al’s (2019) scoping review shows these three trends continuing (Cramm, Smith et al, 2019; DeVoe et al, 2018; Nicosia et al, 2017; Ostler et al, 2018; Thandi et al, 2017). While research interest in military families has increased in recent years, the majority of the peer-reviewed literature has been conducted in the United States of America (USA) (Cramm, McColl, et al, 2019; Cramm et al, 2015; Cramm et al, 2016; Cramm et al, 2018).…”