Pediatric traumatic brain injury: understanding parent perceptions of their child and school-based supports and services
Date
2013
Authors
Terry, Erin, author
Sample, Pat L., advisor
Greene, David, committee member
Daunhauer, Lisa, committee member
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Abstract
TBI affects hundreds of thousands of children each year, having a profound impact on multiple areas of functioning including cognition, social interaction, learning, and behavior, and thereby directly influencing their school performance. Despite its high incidence and potentially severe consequences, TBI-related disability among children often goes unrecognized for what it is by caregivers, educators, and physicians. In this study, we focused on the qualitative data obtained in the parent-report Brain Check Survey related to students with identified TBI employing a phenomenological approach. Data from fifty-one parent completed BCS tools were analyzed to gain an understanding of parent perceptions of their child with TBI, including the child's TBI-related behaviors and symptoms; and the parents' perceptions of the child's school-based supports and services in relation to their TBI-related learning needs. Data analysis yielded four major themes that represented the qualitative content provided by parents on the BCS, namely parent response types, knowledge, services, and emerging topics. Parent experience varied depending on perceived supports and barriers, highlighting the need to include parents as a frequent and permanent participant in the preparation for and development of their child's educational plan. A key recommendation is that schools assist parents of children with TBI in gaining skills in advocacy and knowledge of educational entitlements as early as possible once their child is identified in the school as having a TBI. Parents need to be empowered early on to find their voice as advocates, helping to ensure that their child is able to participate and perform in his/her student learner role as effectively as possible.
Description
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Subject
parent challenges
school-based services/supports
pediatric traumatic brain injury
parent perceptions
parent advocacy