Parent Perspectives: Understanding the Postschool Concerns of Parents of Transition-Age Youth With Disabilities

Abstract

Given the importance of family participation in transition planning, it is essential to understand the concerns parents have for their children with disabilities so professionals can better address family needs and develop strategies to enhance expectations and improve student outcomes. Using results from a national U.S. survey, we examined the extent of parent concern with their child’s postschool outcomes, how postschool concerns are organized, and the factors that predict increased concern. Participants were 240 parents of youth with disabilities ages 16 to 21 years. Results indicate that parent concerns are across postschool activities. Predictors of increased concerns included parent and student characteristics. Comparisons between White and non-White families showed differences in extent of postschool concerns between the groups. Paid work experiences and employing a strengths-based approach were related to decreased concerns. Limitations and implications are discussed.