This
issue of NASET’s Practical Teacher
was written by Reshma Mulchan, a graduate student at Florida International University. The article presents a
literature review on the challenges of special education for parents and
students. Multiple studies (Burke, 2013; Chen & Gregory, 2010; Mandic,
Rudd, Hehir & Acevedo-Garcia, 2010) often claimed that parents of students
with disabilities encountered a plethora of barriers and challenges regarding
special education systems. Parents are
hampered in their quest to source information pertaining to specific special
educational services because they cannot acquire reliable support and
guidance. In addition, sometimes
inadequate information is furnished to parents of students with disabilities
about special education support and funding. Sourcing disability funding and
support services can be a problem when parents don’t apprehend the process.
Furthermore, parents struggle to find appropriate funding for special equipment
and support for their child with a specific disability. Parents are unable to
advocate for their child with disabilities because they are not equipped with
necessary information. Moreover, many parents misunderstand the process of
Individualized Education Program (IEP) and their role as an advocate for their
child with disabilities because of language barriers. Parents can become
overwhelmed by the trials and obstacles regarding finding appropriate
educational services and systems for their children with disability.
