Although expected to be equal partners in the special education process, parents of children with disabilities often struggle to participate in individualized education program (IEP) meetings. Specifically, Latino parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face systemic barriers occluding their participation and advocacy in IEP meetings. In this study, 22 Latino parents of children with ASD participated in an advocacy training. Before and after the advocacy training, participants read and responded to a proxy IEP transcript designed to gauge their participation and advocacy in IEP meetings. After completing the advocacy training, participants demonstrated significant increases in the number of words used, turns taken, and appropriate, advocacy comments. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AlperS.SchlossP. J.SchlossC. N.Families of children with disabilities in elementary and middle school: Advocacy model and strategiesExceptional Children62261–2701996
2.
BerumentS. K.RutterM.LordC.PicklesA.BaileyA.Autism screening questionnaire: Diagnostic validityThe British Journal of Psychiatry175444–4511999
3.
BrislinR. W.Back-translation for cross-cultural researchJournal of Cross-Cultural Psychology1185–2161970
4.
BurkeM. M.Improving parental involvement: Training special education advocatesJournal of Disability Policy Studies23225–2342013
5.
BurkeM. M.GoldmanS. E.Documenting the experiences of special education advocatesJournal of Special Education513–132017
6.
BurkeM. M.MagañaS.GarciaM.MelloM. P.Brief report: The feasibility and effectiveness of an advocacy program for Latino families of children with autism spectrum disorderJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders462532–25382016
7.
BurkeM. M.SandmanL.In the voices of parents: Suggestions for the next IDEA reauthorizationResearch and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities4071–852015
8.
CartledgeG.KeaC.Simmons-ReedE.Serving culturally diverse children with serious emotional disturbance and their familiesJournal of Child and Family Studies11113–1262002
9.
ChandlerS.CharmanT.BairdG.SimonoffE.LoucasT.MeldrumD.PicklesA.Validation of the social communication questionnaire in a population cohort of children with autism spectrum disordersJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry461324–13322007
10.
CohenM. D.A guide to special education advocacy: What parents, clinicians, and advocates need to knowJessica KingsleyPhiladelphia, PA2009
11.
CohenS. R.Advocacy for the ‘Abandonados': Harnessing cultural beliefs for Latino families and their children with intellectual disabilitiesJournal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities1071–782013
12.
CorselloC.HusV.PicklesA.RisiS.CookE. H.LeventhalB. L.LordC.Between a ROC and a hard place: Decision making and making decisions about using the SCQJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry48932–9402007
13.
DeckerJ.A comprehensive analysis of applied behavior analysis (ABA) litigation trends for students with autismEducation Law Reporter2741–262012
14.
GeenenS.PowersL. E.Lopez-VasquezA.Multicultural aspects of parent involvement in transition planningExceptional Children67265–2822001
15.
GoldmanS. E.BurkeM. M.The effectiveness of interventions to increase parent involvement in special education: A systematic literature review and meta-analysisExceptionality2597–1152017
16.
HarryB.Cultural diversity families and special education systems: Communication and empowermentColumbia University PressNew York1992
17.
HarryB.Collaboration with culturally and linguistically diverse families: Ideal versus realityExceptional Children74372–3882008
18.
HoldrenN. O.SingerG. H SMcintoshS.OliverK.O'neilM.WoodL.A teacher's role in facilitating meaningful parent participation in IEP meetingsTASHSt. Louis, Missouri2016Presentation at
19.
HughesM. T.Valle-RiestraD. M.ArguellesM. E.Experiences of Latino families with their child's special education programMulticultural Perspectives411–172002
20.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S. C. 1400 et seq2004
21.
JungA. W.Individualized education programs (IEPs) and barriers for parents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgroundsMulticultural Education1921–252011
22.
KlingnerJ. K.ArtilesA. J.KozleskiE.HarryB.ZionS.TateW.RileyD.Addressing the disproportionate representation of culturally and linguistically diverse students in special education through culturally responsive educational systemsEducation Policy Analysis Archives131–432005
23.
KummererS. E.Lopez-ReynaN. A.Engaging Mexican immigrant families in language and literacy interventions: Three case studiesRemedial And Special Education30330–3432009
24.
LeiterV.KraussM. W WClaims, barriers, and satisfaction: Parents’ requests for additional special education servicesJournal of Disability Policy Studies15135–1462004
25.
LevyS. E.MandellD. S.MerharS.IttenbachR. F.Pinto-MartinJ. A.Use of complementary and alternative medicine among children recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorderJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics24418–4232003
26.
MaganaS.Mental retardation research methods in Latino communitiesMental Retardation382000
27.
MagañaS.LopezK.AguinagaA.MortonH.Access to diagnosis and treatment services among Latino children with autism spectrum disordersIntellectual and Developmental Disabilities51141–1532013
28.
MagañaS.ParishS. L.SonE.Have racial and ethnic disparities in the quality of health care relationships changed for children with developmental disabilities and ASD?American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities120504–5132015
29.
MartinJ. E.Van DyckeJ. L.GreeneB. A.GardnerJ. E.ChristensenW. R.WoodsL. L.LovettD. L.Direct observation of teacher-directed IEP Meetings: Establishing the need for student IEP meeting instruction72187–2002006
30.
MchattonP. A.CorreaV.Stigma and discrimination: Perspectives From Mexican and Puerto Rican mothers of children with special eeedsTopics in Early Childhood Special Education25131–1422005
31.
McHughM. L.Interrater reliability: The kappa statisticBiochemia Medica22276–2822012
32.
MeracadanteM. T.Evans-LackoS.PaulaC. S.Perspectives of intellectual disability in Latin American countries: Epidemiology, policy, and services for children and adults22469–4742009
33.
MuellerT. G.CarranzaF.An examination of special education due process hearingsJournal of Disability Policy Studies22131–1392011
34.
OlivosE. M.Collaboration with Latino families: A critical perspective of home-school interactionsIntervention in School and Clinic45109–1152009
ShapiroJ.MonzoL. D.RuedaR.GomezJ. A.BlacherJ.Alienated advocacy: Perspectives of Latina mothers of young adults with developmental disabilities on service systemsMental Retardation: A Journal of Practices4237–542004Policy and Perspectives
37.
SpannS. J.KohlerF. W.SoenksenD.Examining parents’ involvement in and perceptions of special education services: An interview with families in a parent support groupFocus On Autism & Other Developmental Disabilities18228–2372003 14 November 2017Received: 2 August 2017 Initial Acceptance: 4 October 2017 Final Acceptance
