Caregiver involvement in support services for a child with hearing loss?

Abstract

Family-centered practices are considered one of the crucial components of services offered to children with hearing loss in early intervention. These practices aim to empower caregivers to support the language development in children with hearing loss through family-centered early intervention. In Turkey, early intervention practices are commonly provided under the supporting services provided by Private Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers (PSERCs). However, there is limited information regarding the ways of involving caregivers in the support service process and about the content shared to empower them. This research was designed as a holistic single case study based on a qualitative approach to examine how caregiver involvement is achieved in support services in PSERC for pre-school children with hearing loss in Turkey. Data obtained through observations, semi-structured interviews, documents (Audiogram, activity items, etc.), and researcher diaries were analyzed inductively. Results demonstrate that a range of practices, such as informational notes, quarterly meetings, and debriefings are implemented at the focal PSERC. However, it found that the only practice that was consistently followed was debriefings. Although the content shared in the debriefings was seemingly supportive for the language skills of children with hearing loss, the information caregivers needed was diverse. The results clearly demonstrate that current attempts to involve caregivers at PSERCs lack family-centered practices. A more comprehensive approach is required to improve services at PSERCs and make them truly family-centered. Further research is crucial to this end.