| The problem. Bradley, Danielson, & Hallahan (2002) suggested that research was needed to specify the impact of early identification and intervention on district costs, number of special education referrals, and the degree of intensity required to be effective. Horowitz (2007) stated that additional research was necessary in the study of students with disabilities that focused specifically on the perceptions of parents whose children had difficulties in acquiring the desired skills for school success. This study was designed to address the need for research in early special education interventions and both student and parent perceptions.;Method. A qualitative study of ten parent-student units was conducted through audio taped individual interviews consisting of 12 questions for the parent participants and 11 questions for the students. Postulates were formed to predict the answers to each question, based on the literature review. Responses were transcribed, compared to their corresponding postulates, and analyzed for expected and unexpected results. The data included summaries of parent themes and student themes.;Results. Nine of ten parents reported that they suspected their child was at risk of learning problems before the start of first grade. AU ten parents reported that their child made academic gains between the initial and most recent IEP meeting. A majority of parents considered their child's more recent interventions more effective than earlier ones due to changes in teachers, placements, or outside support providers. In addition, all ten parents had the same advice for others: take action as early as possible, persist through challenges, and never give up.;Six of the ten students confirmed the postulate that leaving their classroom for special learning groups was a negative experience. Five students advised younger students to keep trying and ask for help. Seven students spoke about a future that involved post high school training. Finally, eight students were able to talk about a friend or several friends at school. No direct statement was made that confirmed a personal experience of negative social treatment. |
