PARENT PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN EARLY INTERVENTION - A QUALITATIVE INVESTIGATION

Many early intervention programs are attempting to shift from traditio nal models in which decisions are made primarily by professional staff to family-centered models that emphasize collaboration with parents. This article presents data on parent-professional relationships that e merged from a naturalistic study of Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) development in three early intervention programs. Parents and staff emphasized the importance and benefits of personal relationships . However, staff also reported significant concerns, especially doubts about whether all parents have the necessary skills for full particip ation. These concerns appeared to make it difficult for staff to suppo rt parental decision making fully. Relationship quality and control is sues emerged as significant factors in parent-staff interactions. A mo del is presented that outlines the interplay between these factors; it can be used to monitor program progress in implementing family-center ed approaches.