Gentle Corrections

While the disability movement has a long and rich history, many families who find themselves raising a child with a disability often have no clue about it. Families learn their child has a diagnosis from a doctor or evaluator, or they notice that their child is missing developmental milestones over time. Others may refer a family to a program, or suggest they contact their local school district for supports and services.

What is the History of the Disability Movement?

Over time, families learn about the laws and policies that affect what supports and services might be available to their child and family. They may begin to research their child's specific disability or join support groups.This quest for support and services does not always mean that families are connected to groups that can educate them about the history of the disability movement. They may not learn about Justin Dart or Ed Roberts, they might never encounter Norman Kunc. They may not learn that before Geraldo Rivera was famous for getting hit with a chair by a skinhead, he had exposed New York State's approach to people with disabilities by filming the horrible conditions at Willowbrook. Thus families may not realize that people with disabilities, their families and the professionals who support them, have worked together to change how disabilities are viewed in our culture. Families might not know about the importance of using People First Language or using a strength-based approach to supporting people with disabilities.

How do we inform others about the Disability Movement?

It is important that family leaders and professionals share information about the history of the disability movement. Using anniversary dates or linking current activities to past activities can be helpful to insuring that families learn about the history of the disability movement. There are many wonderful YouTube videos which show the movement's activities to end the prevalence of institutions.

What Do I Do if I See Someone Using Non-People-First Language?

The first caveat is that it is never a good idea to call someone out for saying they have an Autistic son, or that their Uncle Bob is mentally ill. You'll only manage to embarrass them, and they will end up being defensive. Instead, modelling is the best first route. Mention that you have a wonderful daughter who loves to paint, is very physically active and has Down syndrome. When you see articles written by journalists, sending them a quick note thanking them for their article and ask that they use people first language or refrain from stating that a person is wheelchair bound, but rather that that person uses a wheelchair for mobility. And always share links to good references on the topic like Kathy Snow's Disability is Natural website. 

Team Based Early Intervention

I've been invited to share my perspectives on Team Based Early Intervention Services. This is an opportunity for me to share my passion for Early Intervention and my excitement about this momentous change in the way these services are provided in my state. I have already shared some of this information via YouTube with our state's Parent Training and Information Center.

Supporting families is important work. It is important that professionals who support families meet families where they are at and assume confidence and competence. It is also essential that families have the opportunity to participate in a voluntary family-directed assessment which allows them to identify their concerns, priorities and resources and enables them to develop functional, family-centered and meaningful outcomes for their child and family.

It is critical that professionals who support families are aware of current evidence-based research which demonstrates that there are ways to assist families.  That if we are to incorporate new skills into our repertoire we must have an introduction or illustration, practice and then have an opportunity to evaluate and reflect on our efforts. Carl Dunst, and his team at the Orelena Hawks Puckett Institute, has done considerable research on how to empower parents and support their confidence and capacity, as they care for their child with an infant and toddler with a disability.  

Using Team Based Services that encourage providers to work as a team, rather than a series of individuals, is the first step. The next step is to provide professional development that help professionals to strengthen parent capacity as part of early intervention.

Want to Learn More?

Carl Dunst Research Scientist, Orelena Hawks Puckett Institute, NC. http://www.puckett.org/  The Institute Centers include, Center for Evidence-Based Practices www.evidencebasedpractices.org, 

Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Education www.ceecenc.org, 

Center for Innovative and Promising Practices www.innovativepractices.org, 

Center for Improving Community Linkages www.communitylinkages.org, 

Center for Practical Evaluation www.practicalevaluation.org, 

Center for Dissemination and Utilization www.utlization.info. http://leadership-2012.events.tadnet.org/uploads/879/download

Dunst, C.J., Trivette, C.M., & Hamby, D.W. (2010). Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of four adult learning methods and strategies. International Journal of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning, 3(1), 91-112.

Dunst, C. J., and; Trivette, C. M. (2009). Capacity-building family systems intervention practices. Journal of Family Social Work, 12(2), 119-143.

Swanson, J., Raab, M., & Dunst, C.J. (2011). Strengthening family capacity to provide young children everyday natural learning opportunities. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 9(1), 66-80.

Dunst, C.J., and; Trivette, C.M. (2009). Meta-analytic structural equation modeling of the influences of family-centered care on parent and child psychological health. International Journal of Pediatrics, 2009, 1-9.

Is it stealing?

One of the things that I love about Web 2.0 is how free many folks are with their information and expertise. I've been researching how to assist people when researching on the internet. For me that has lead me down many other paths--I was the type of student who could spend hours looking up one word in the dictionary, because I found so many other interesting words on my way to the one I wanted/needed.  But I digress. 


Researching on the Internet
I've been tooling around today over on the NICHCY website. I've always turned to NICHCY for information on early intervention and special education. They've also got some great information on sharing or disseminating information and how to research.
Steal This!
The section I love the most, is their page called steal these dissemination strategies. They have model language for social media policies, Facebook posts and tweets and they encourage sharing, re-purposing and linking like this.
So I don't think it's stealing if it is encouraged, but I love that it is encouraged! What do you steal--or shall I say repurpose?  And do you make sure to mention where you originally found your material?