An Orange Raincoat

Discussion Questions

1. The staff's strategy for gaining Pearl's trust is summarized by the statement "We waited; we welcomed; and we watched." Was this the best strategy to employ? Could or should a more active approach have been taken in getting Pearl to be more open?
    
2. Although not completely satisfied, the staff seemed content with the progress that Pearl and her family made. Could they have been as successful: (1) if the program did not include active participation by parents in the classroom, or (2) if the program provided home-based services only?
    
3. Pearl's network of services and support is mentioned throughout this case study. The network and communication among its members, however, appears to have been rather loosely structured. Should more structure have been imposed upon this system?
    
4. The staff obviously took on more roles and responsibilities in assisting Pearl than would be typically expected. Did they overstep their bounds? If so, who should have been responsible? What role should the program staff have taken in facilitating action by others? If not, could the efforts of these staff members be replicated in other classroom-based programs?
    
5. Were there any aspects of this case that you feel could have been handled more effectively or sensitively? What alternative strategies would you propose?
    
6. How should we measure success in programs involving parents with mental retardation? Are these measures different from those appropriate for other early intervention programs?
    
7. What stereotypes exist in society regarding parents with mental retardation? How might those stereotypes become barriers to family-centered early intervention?
    
8. What other "systems" should early interventionists become familiar with in order to develop support networks for parents with mental retardation?
    
9. How would you develop an individualized family service plan (IFSP) for families such as Pearl's? What formats would you use? What strategies would you employ in gaining parent involvement in the process? How would your strategies differ from those you might use with parents who do not have mental retardation?
    
10. Both Pearl and Robert have been identified as having disabilities or being at risk for disabilities. In such cases should each identified family member have a separate service coordinator? If this is the case, how might early interventionists separate or coordinate the roles of each?

An Orange Raincoat Case Story