CHILDREN AND PRIVACY - CHOICE, CONTROL, AND ACCESS IN-HOME ENVIRONMENTS

This article examines privacy in the home environments of families who have young children with disabilities. Literature supports the import ance of privacy in developing self-identity and autonomy in children w ith disabilities. Early experiences with privacy help develop a sense of self-esteem and help define the range, limits, and consequences of individual autonomy. Data from parent interviews, surveys, and home ob servations of 32 families who have children (age 3-10) with disabiliti es are analyzed. Results describe opportunities for being alone; choic e, control, and access in bedrooms; privacy during toileting or bathin g; and privacy-promoting modifications. Parents agree that privacy is important; however, it is being restricted by access and control in th e environment. A majority of children have some control and opportunit y for choice making in their bedrooms. Privacy in the bathroom is most difficult. The findings suggest that parents are cognizant of the nee d for privacy, but the physical environment of the home stymies opport unities.