Partners in School: Optimizing Communication between Parents and Teachers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ABSTRACT

Partners in School

is a consultation model with the goal of enhancing communication between two of the most important stakeholders in children’s lives – parents and teachers. Using a single–group pre–post design, this preliminary study examined the effect of Partners in School on parent–teacher communication outcomes and the factors associated with these outcomes. Participants were 26 teachers and 49 parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents and teachers completed surveys before and after participating in Partners in School. Teachers reported an increase in their communication to parents. However, parents did not report an increase in their communication to teachers. Teachers’ self–efficacy, expectations, and intervention fidelity were associated with increased communication to parents. Parental self–efficacy and teacher experience were associated with parents’ reports of communication to teachers. Our findings suggest that family–school consultation services may be used to enhance teachers’ communication with parents.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health National Research Service Awards, Grant # F32-MH101994 (PI Azad) and the Autism Science Foundation Research Enhancement Mini Grant # REG 14-01 (PI Azad). Preparation of this article was supported in part by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (7K23MH119331-02; GA; PI: Azad).

Notes on contributors

Gazi F. Azad

Gazi Azad, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Licensed Psychologist, and Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Her research uses implementation science to optimize continuity of evidence-based interventions across home and school for children with autism.

Steven C. Marcus

Steven Marcus, PhD, is an epidemiologist, statistician, computer scientist, and mental health services researcher studying the outcomes, quality of care, and pharmacoepidemiology of patients with serious mental disorders.

David S. Mandell

David Mandell, ScD, is a psychiatric epidemiologist and mental health services researcher. The goal of his research is to improve the quality of care individuals with psychiatric and developmental disabilities receive in their communities.