'You Don't Know Me Like That': Patterns of Disconnect Between Adolescent Mothers of Children With Disabilities and Their Early Interventionists

Abstract

Interest in the concept of collaboration in early intervention has focused primarily on collaboration among professionals or between professionals and families. Few studies have examined patterns of collaboration between early interventionists and families headed by adolescent mothers. This study examined the perspectives and experiences of 6 adolescent mothers and their service providers. Interviews, observations of interactions between service providers and adolescent mothers, and documents such as the Individualized Family Service Plan were analyzed to identify factors that facilitated or hindered effective collaboration. Results are interpreted with respect to a cultural variant perspective and are discussed in terms of their implications for building relationships and providing intervention.