Academic Research: Self-directed learning of child-care skills by parents with intellectual disabilities

Feldman, M.A. (2004). Self-directed learning of child-care skills by parents with intellectual disabilities. Infants & Young Children, 17, 17-31.

This article describes the development, use, and evaluation of self-directed learning (via self-instructional audiovisual child-care materials) to teach basic child-care, health, and safety skills to parents with intellectual disabilities. Materials developed were based on input from pediatric health care professionals and research on how to present visual materials to persons with low literacy skills. Overall, the results of these studies indicate that many parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities may improve their parenting skills with low cost, low tech, self-directed learning materials.

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