What do parents want?: an analysis of education-related comments made by parents of children with different genetic syndromes

Authors:
FIDLER Deborah J., LAWSON John E.
Journal article citation:
Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 28(2), June 2003, pp.196-204.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis

This study explored whether parents of children with three different genetic syndromes, Down syndrome (n~39), Prader-Willi syndrome (n~25), and Williams syndrome (n~26), express divergent desires for modifications in their child's current educational programming. A content analysis was performed on the parents' answers to an open-ended question about how to improve their child's current placement. The parents of children with Down syndrome spontaneously expressed a greater desire for changes or improvements in speech therapy and reading services, the parents of children with Prader-Willi syndrome expressed a desire for increases in adaptive physical education services, and the parents of children with Williams syndrome expressed a desire for increases and modifications to music services and aides in the classroom. Within-syndrome variation was also found in the specific sentiments and desires expressed. Implications for a syndrome-specific approach to special education programming are discussed.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, music therapy, parental attitudes, parental role, parent-child relations, Prader-Willi syndrome, special education, speech impairment, speech therapy, therapies, therapy and treatment, Williams syndrome, communication disorders, children, Downs syndrome, education, genetics;
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1469-9532
ISSN print:
1366-8250

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