This study reports the results of face-to-face interviews with 536 families receiving early intervention. The purpose of the study was to describe the nature of early intervention services received and to investigate differences in the type of services based on family ethnicity, income, and the age of the child. The findings identified significant barriers to early intervention service utilization for American Indian families, low-Income families without medical assistance, and children under 18 months of age. Additional factors influencing the service utilization pattern, including parental and professional preference and service availability, are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Arcia, E., Keyes, L., Gallagher, J.J., & Herrick, H. (1992). Potential underutilization of Part H Services: An empirical study of national demographic factors. Chapel Hill, NC: Carolina Policy Studies Program.
2.
Bailey, D.B., Buysse, V., Edmondson, R., & Smith, T.M. (1992). Creating family-centered services in early intervention: Perceptions of professionals in four states. Exceptional Children, 58, 298–309.
3.
Bailey, D.B., Winton, P.J., Rouse, L., & Turnbull, A.P. (1990). Family goals in infant intervention: Analysis and issues. Journal of Early Intervention, 14, 15–26.
4.
Beckman, P.J., & Bristol, M.M. (1991). Issues in developing the IFSP: A framework for establishing family outcomes. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 11(3), 19–31.
5.
Connery, A.R. (1987). A description and comparison of Native American and Anglo parents' knowledge of their handicapped children's educational rights. Flagstaff, AZ: Northern Arizona University.
6.
Davis, K., & Marshall, R. (1975). Rural health care in the South: Preliminary summary report. Atlanta, GA: Task Force on Southern Rural Development.
7.
Dunst, C.J.Johanson, C., Trivette, C.M., & Hamby, D. (1991). Family-oriented early intervention policies and practices: Family-centered or not?. Exceptional Children, 58, 115–126.
8.
Lynch, E.W., & Stein, R. (1982). Perspectives on parent participation in special education. Exceptional Education Quarterly, 3(2), 56–63.
9.
Martin, W.E., Jr., & O'Connell, J.C. (1987). Pueblo Indian vocational rehabilitation services study (Technical Report). Flagstaff, AZ: Northern Arizona University, Native American Research and Training Center.
10.
Morgan, J., & O'Connell, J.C. (1987). The rehabilitation of disabled Native Americans. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 10(20), 139–149.
11.
O'Connell, J.C. (Ed.) (1987). A Study of the special problems and needs of American Indians with handicaps both on and off the reservations. Flagstaff, AZ: Northern Arizona University, and Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Native American Research and Training Centers.
12.
O'Connell, J.C., Horn, R., Lenz, D., Schacht, R., & Kitterman, M. (1989). Arizona's parents speak out: Planning for Arizona's future, Part III. Phoenix, AZ: Dept. of Economic Security, Interagency Coordinating Council. ERIC Document Reproduction Services, ED 323–741.
13.
O'Connell, J.C., Minkler, S., Dereshiwsky, M., Guy, E., & Roanhorse, T. (1992). Identifying unique challenges to the provision of rehabilitation services on the Navajo reservation. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 11(2), 13–19.
14.
O'Connell, J.C., & Sontag, E. (1992). Parental choice and early intervention: A proactive policy of reform. Special Education Leadership Review, 1, 97–113.
15.
Omohundro, J., Schneider, M.J., Marr, J., & Gronnemann, B. (1983). Disability in rural America: A four-county needs assessment. (Final report of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Research and Training Center). Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas Press.
16.
Reschly, D., & Jipson, F.J. (1976). Ethnicity, geographic location, age, sex and urban-rural residence as variables in the prevalence of mild mental retardation. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 81, 154–161.
17.
Sontag, E. (1972). Programs for American Indians and Alaskan natives. Education and Training of the Mentally Retarded, 7(3), 157–159.
18.
Sontag, J.C., Schacht, R., Horn, R., & Lenz, D.(1993). Parental concerns for infants and toddlers with special needs in rural vs urban counties. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 12(1), 36–46.
19.
Turnbull, A.P., & Turnbull, H.R. (1990). Families, professionals and exceptionality: A special partnership. Columbus, OH: Merrill.
20.
Vaughn, S., Bos, C., Harrell, J., & Lasky, B. (1988). Parent participation in the initial placement/IEP conference ten years after mandated involvement. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 21(2), 82–89.
21.
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. (1969). Four corners mental retardation project: The training and use of indigenous aides in a sparsely populated, economically depressed region. Phoenix: Arizona State Department of Health, Phoenix Mental Retardation Section.
