
ERIC Number: EJ697260
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 16
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0014-4029
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Perspectives of Students with Intellectual Disabilities About Their Experiences with Paraprofessional Support
Broer, Stephen M.; Doyle, Mary Beth; Giangreco, Michael F.
Exceptional Children, v71 n4 p415 Sum 2005
Perspectives of students with disabilities are notably absent from research about special education paraprofessionals. This study begins filling that gap by interviewing 16 young adults with intellectual disabilities about their experiences attending general education classes with paraprofessional support. Findings describe the primacy and exclusivity that often exists between paraprofessionals and these students as characterized by four interrelated themes regarding consumer perspectives of paraprofessionals as: mother, friend, protector, and primary teacher. Although study participants provided both positive and negative perspectives on these four descriptors, each descriptor represents cause for concern. Implications for practice encourage schools to (a) consider the social validity of supports, (b) increase teacher involvement, (c) highlight the importance of listening to students with disabilities, and (d) include them in decisions about their own supports.
Council for Exceptional Children, 1110 North Glebe Road, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201-5704. Web site: http://www.cec.sped.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A