Caring connection: Strengthening communication between parents/guardians and inclusive postsecondary education program staff

Abstract

This practice article describes one inclusive postsecondary education program's pilot intervention to increase communication amongst caregivers and inclusive postsecondary staff. This pilot intervention aimed to address and alleviate the difficulty caregivers might experience as their young adult with an intellectual or developmental disability transitions into postsecondary schooling, as channels of communication and advocacy shift from the caregiver to the young adult themselves while attempting to utilize postsecondary staff resources efficiently. This article briefly overviews the planning process for a monthly virtual parent/guardian meeting throughout the academic year and reviews outcomes from this pilot intervention.

Keywords

• intellectual disability
• postsecondary education
• parent and guardian support
• parent contact
• comprehensive transition program