Outdoor play is a crucial in supporting child development, resiliency, social skills, creative thinking, adaptability, family growth, and family engagement. Unfortunately, children are spending less time outside because of technology, parent fears, and other factors. Parents who have a child with a disability have even more challenges when it…

Early intervention is the area of practice specific to children aged 0-3 years old and is often made up of a team of professionals working towards similar goals for a child alongside the family. Many of these settings use a multidisciplinary approach. This study aims to create a transdisciplinary model for early intervention professionals to…

In this dissertation, I examine how two major social programs in Kentucky--state-funded preK and Family Resource and Youth Service Centers--impact children's outcomes across the state, including racial, ethnic, and economic equity through elementary school. In each chapter, I will analyze how early childhood opportunities relate to outcomes…

Challenging behavior often impacts a child's education along with peer and family relationships. It is estimated that 10-30% of all typically developing preschool children have chronic, mild to moderate levels of behavior problems. Given the significant impact that challenging behavior can have on a child's development, relationships, and future…

Increasing numbers of children with autism are being identified at a younger age, before the age of 3, when their intervention services are coordinated through early intervention service providers. Shortly after starting with services families are faced with their first major transition regarding intervention services when their child turns 3 and…

The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate the early intervention experiences of mothers who have a young child at risk for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). More specifically, the goal was to explore the family centered help giving practices mothers identify and how these practices affect their early intervention experiences. Five…

The issue of intensity of services for children in early intervention is a complex one and its determination can be based on many factors, some of which may not be objective; consequently there may be disparities in services provided. Although the Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, Public Law 108-446 (IDEA, 2004) mandates the…

The purpose of the study was to examine the perceived needs and correlates of Maine parents of premature infants related to the chronological distance from the NICU. The study focused on identifying the perceived service needs of parents of premature children and how these needs changed over time, revealed the relationships between perceived…

Participation in the natural settings of home and community is one of four major goals for families receiving Part C early intervention services. While participation has been formally recognized as an important service-related outcome, there is a need to build knowledge about its key features to adequately apply the concept in practice. The need…