Partnership Working among Families, Therapists and Educationalists to Enhance Collaboration Enabling Participation of Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Anu Kinnunen (), Annastiina Vesterinen, Anu Kippola-Pääkkönen and Maarit Karhula
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Anu Kinnunen: Department of Future Health Services, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, 94600 Kemi, Finland
Annastiina Vesterinen: Department of Sustainable Wellbeing, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, 50100 Mikkeli, Finland
Anu Kippola-Pääkkönen: Department of Participation and Functional Capacity, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Jokiväylä 11, 96300 Rovaniemi, Finland
Maarit Karhula: Department of Sustainable Wellbeing, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, 50100 Mikkeli, Finland

Disabilities, 2023, vol. 3, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Backround : The collaboration of families, therapists and educationalists has been found to be an important factor in the successful rehabilitation of children with intellectual disabilities. Previous studies have focused on the effects of therapies and the perspectives of parents on collaboration in rehabilitiation. This study aims to describe the facilitators of, and barriers to, collaboration with adults in enhancing the participation of children with intellectual disabilities in education environments. Methods : In a qualitative study, the data were collected in 2021–2022 through individual interviews with parents ( n = 16), focus group interviews ( n = 17) with education professionals and an online survey tool with open-ended questions from therapists ( n = 309). The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results : Two overaching themes were identified: the prerequisites of collaboration and the sharing of expertise in collaboration from the perspective of all the participants, which included the factors facilitating and hindering collaboration. Conclusions: In optimizing the benefits of collaboration, all these themes are essential to enhancing functioning and participation. There is a need for the development of participatory practises to improve and intensify collaboration. The development of collaboration and practises should be supported by the managers. Digital solutions should be further explored in order to improve the partnership of adults and children.

Keywords: intellectual disabilities; collaboration; rehabilitation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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