Family voices: promoting foundation skills of self-determination for young children with disabilities in Taiwan

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspectives of Taiwanese families regarding promoting foundations of self-determination for young children with disabilities. Twenty-one families of children with disabilities between 3 and 6 years of age in Taiwan were recruited for this study. Interviews were used to capture their perspectives. Data were coded, and four major themes emerged. First, all parents expressed positive regard for and used a variety of strategies to promote the foundations of self-determination at home. Second, parents mentioned the different challenges they faced while providing supports for their child’s foundation skills, including child’s disabilities, health condition, parents’ schedules, and family supports. The challenges varied depending on child’s characteristics, family values, and cultural environment. Third, these families had expectations that their child could be self-regulated, engage in choice-making, and be engaged in activities, but the specific expectations were adjusted by characteristics of child, family, or communities. Fourth, families emphasized the importance of positive partnership and parents’ roles to promote. Implications for research and practice are discussed in this study.