Category: Abstracts

Collaborative consultation = equity
Medical model = inequity

Robin McWilliam

How do early intervention (birth-5) professionals work with families and other caregivers, such as teachers? This session proposes that the way professionals talk, do, and identify themselves can have an impact on their stance vis-à-vis caregivers. We look at influencing factors and then at impacts on equity. With most early intervention birth-5 in the U.S. and Europe being white, yet families and teachers representing a diversity of races and ethnic backgrounds, the danger of systemic racism is always present. In the professional-caregiver relationship, with the former an expert and the latter a client, the risk of reinforcing racism and colonialism is real. We posit that credentials can create inequality. It is time for early interventionists birth-5 to attend to the science and art of collaborative consultation, building up the caregiver. The evidence supporting equitable caregiver-professional interactions comes from such fields as educational leadership, social justice, and social support.

Building bridges between parents and professionals – A book project that wasn’t easy

Ena Heimdahl

Christina Haulrich Klausen

In our presentation we will describe the process of writing the book: Down Syndrom -The first Years. We will talk about the process from the very tiny start to the real book that is now in the hands of many parents and professionals. Christina decided to write the book that she wished she had, when Bjørg was born. A book that would spread hope, knowledge and give tools to parents and professionals. Nearly 30 professionals and 200 parents from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands contributed with topics, points of views and knowledge.

A dream came true writing this book – we will share that dream with you.

Parent experience with early intervention

Pau Garcia and Margarita Cañadas. Catholic University of Valencia, Spain

The active participation of the family is critical in the intervention process. The family makes informed decisions and must feel confident and competent to support their child’s development. As a result, they should feel empowered and improve their quality of family life. In this session, based on families’ experiences, participants will learn the skills necessary to truly engage families and achieve desired outcomes.

Situation Analysis on Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) in the

Republic of North Macedonia

Aleksandra Karovska Ristovska [1]

Kristel Diehl [2]

Emily Vargas-Barón [2]

 
Abstract:

 The Situation Analysis on ECI in N. Macedonia provided a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of the national ECI system and its services to generate accurate evidence on existing national strengths and capacities; to establish and further support contemporary ECI programmes for families of children with developmental difficulties aged 0-6 years, and to make recommendations regarding next steps. Research activities and instruments were based on the Methodological Guide: Research for National Situation Analyses on Early Childhood Intervention (Vargas-Barón, Diehl, and Kakabadze, 2022). This paper will present the main findings of the SitAn that revealed an urgent need to expand and improve equitable ECI programme services, and to regulate and further define early intervention programmes.

Key words: Early Childhood Intervention, Situation Analysis, Methodological Guide

[1] Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation

[2] RISE Institute, Washington DC

On a common journey

Mgr. Lenka Kohoutková

Mgr. Jolana Kopejsková

If a family decides to care for a child with a life-limiting illness at home, they need a safe environment and the support of a team of experts. Parents must be fully informed of the diagnosis and the risks associated with the care. The team includes a doctor, a health-social worker and an ECI specialist. In the presentation, we will explain the specifics of the SMA diagnosis and how to communicate with the family after the diagnosis. We will demonstrate the cooperation of the Centrum provázení, ECI specialist and other experts in the case study. A jointly compiled care plan, mutual communication between all experts, will help parents manage intensive care for their child and better estimate their limits.

Naturalistic Teaching Process for Inclusive Education:

A Free of Access Professional Development Program for Early Childhood Professionals/Educators

Ibrahim H. Diken

Inclusive education for students with special needs is among the subjects of great importance around the world. With the increase in the importance and support given to inclusive classrooms, the need for natural instructional processes, which include effective and practical strategies that early childhood professionals/educators can use, has emerged especially in preschool inclusive practices. For this reason, in order for inclusive practices to be successful, there is a great need of professional development practices that practically explain and show how early childhood professionals/educators can teach during their daily school routines, activities and transitions. This presentation will focus on naturalistic teaching practices for early childhood professionals/educators by introducing a free of access web-based professional development program, (www.naturalisticteaching.com) as part of an EU ERASMUS+ supported project.

A paradigm shift in ECI – challenges and building bridges in Serbia

Snezana Ilic

ECI Model, tailored explicitly for Serbia, has opened the following dilemmas:

• Which strategies are effective for changing the current, rehabilitation-based intervention model, and for strengthening the role of parents as lead “interventionists” for their children?
• Can we talk in the same Family-centered early intervention language?
• Can we support highly trained professionals to utilize their expertise through a transdisciplinary service delivery model?