The Role of Parents in Early Intervention: Implications for Social Work

Early Intervention with Children Who Have a Hearing Loss: Role of the Professional and Parent Participation

“…The sequence of language learning is expected to include normal processes such as the intertwining of linguistic and cognitive activity. Parents are the social agents that best understand child's intentions and thus can best provide the scaffolding that they needed during the early development (Brown & Nott, 2005;Bloom, 1993;Bruner,1983;Wilson, 1998;Mahoney & Wiggers, 2007;Mahoney, 2009). …”

“…Professionals who work with young children with disabilities must know how to partner with families, including working together to address child and family needs. Studies on parent participation indicate that intervention efforts are enhanced when families participate in early childhood programs (Bailey et al, 1998;Baguley, 2000;Bluebanning, 2004;Mahoney & Wiggers, 2007;Mahoney, 2009;White, 2006;Wilson, 1998).…”

“…Early intervention is defined as "a set of services for children six years of age or younger who are at risk of or who currently have developmental delays or social emotional problems" (Guralnick, 2005, as cited in Mahoney & Wiggers, 2007). The underlying premise for early intervention is that children's developmental or social-emotional problems can be either prevented or remediated through specialized services and activities designed to maximize their developmental learning (Bailey, et.…”

“…Early intervention is grounded in the conviction that the first five years of life are a span during which there is unique opportunity to prevent or reverse children's developmental problems. The rapid brain growth that occurs at this time of children's lives is believed to be associated with critical periods during which children are uniquely prepared to benefit from developmental stimulation that is matched to their individualized needs and abilities (Mahoney & Wiggers, 2007;Ryugo, Limb & Redd, 2000). In other words there are clearly defined times when the physiological readiness of the organism must coincide with the occurrence of specific externally derived experiences (Ryugo, Limb & Redd, 2000).…”

“…Many early intervention programs, particularly programs for children up to age three, provide comprehensive services to families, including social support, service coordination as well as information about child's development (Brown & Arehart, 2000;Brown & Nott, 2005;Mahoney & Wiggers, 2007). Generally it is believed that services that reduce the burdens and stressors families experience can make it easier for parents to focus on the needs and care of their children (Bailey, et.…”