TY - JOUR
T1 - Complex Medical Needs and Homelessness
T2 - A Case Study of the Natural Environment
AU - Williams, Crystal S.
AU - Sawyer, Grace E.
AU - Ostrosky, Michaelene M.
N1 - The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was supported by the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education: (H325H190004) and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research: (90ARCP0008).\uFEFF
PY - 2025/5
Y1 - 2025/5
N2 - Infants and toddlers with complex medical needs are likely to receive early intervention (EI) services, which take place in children’s natural environments (NEs). Little is known about the NE of children with complex medical needs or how their EI services are implemented in consideration of their intersectional identities. In this case study, we explored the NE of one child with complex medical needs experiencing homelessness and how his EI services were embedded in his NE. We used multiple qualitative methods, including observations, interviews, document review, auto-photography, and photo-elicitation. Using thematic analysis, we developed five themes from the data: (a) description of the child’s NE, (b) the family’s planning and intentionality, (c) positivity and acceptance, (d) family expertise versus provider expertise, and (e) a continuum of practices. Implications relate to practices that align with a family’s unique circumstances and the need for research that addresses a family’s intersectional experiences navigating disability.
AB - Infants and toddlers with complex medical needs are likely to receive early intervention (EI) services, which take place in children’s natural environments (NEs). Little is known about the NE of children with complex medical needs or how their EI services are implemented in consideration of their intersectional identities. In this case study, we explored the NE of one child with complex medical needs experiencing homelessness and how his EI services were embedded in his NE. We used multiple qualitative methods, including observations, interviews, document review, auto-photography, and photo-elicitation. Using thematic analysis, we developed five themes from the data: (a) description of the child’s NE, (b) the family’s planning and intentionality, (c) positivity and acceptance, (d) family expertise versus provider expertise, and (e) a continuum of practices. Implications relate to practices that align with a family’s unique circumstances and the need for research that addresses a family’s intersectional experiences navigating disability.
KW - case studies
KW - disability populations
KW - families
KW - family-centered
KW - home visiting
KW - low-incidence disabilities
KW - partnerships with professionals
KW - poverty
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U2 - 10.1177/02711214251316522
DO - 10.1177/02711214251316522
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85219537607
SN - 0271-1214
VL - 45
SP - 7
EP - 20
JO - Topics in Early Childhood Special education
JF - Topics in Early Childhood Special education
IS - 1
ER -