Perspectives of an African American Mother on Parent–Professional Relationships in Special Education

摘要

A case study focused on the perspectives of a low-income, African American mother of a child with disabilities was presented. How an African American parent may begin to perceive characteristics of special education services and aspects of professional behavior as problematic was discussed as was her growing dissatisfaction with the services and eventual decision to withdraw her participation in the special education process The mother's perspective on specific encounters with professionals and the cumulative ways in which these encounters build toward her sense of growing dissatisfaction have implications for professional practice. Further understanding of how African American parents perceive their initial interactions with professionals and how they come to interpret these interactions may contribute towards building increased parental participation and parental satisfaction.