Course Objectives

• List factors that inhibit the parents’ readiness to form parent/professional partnerships.
• Describe the three phases of parent/professional partnerships and identify appropriate nursing approaches for each stage.
• List effective strategies for professionals to follow in their early interactions with parents of children with disabilities.
• Define criteria for determining a child’s eligibility for the early intervention system.
• Discuss eligibility criteria that must be met in order for the child to receive special education services through the school system.
• Identify special services typically provided by states for children with disabilities.
• Identify the four key components of the Turnbulls’ Empowerment Model, and describe nursing implications within each component.