Special Education: Empowering Parents in the Latino Community

Abstract

Parenting a child with special needs can be especially challenging, especially for a parent with limited English skills. This project was designed to promote community among Latino parents, increase the parents’ knowledge on how to be more involved in their children’s education and to empower parents to advocate for their children with special needs. A group of parents who attend Christ the King Church in Salinas attended a series of meetings to share their feelings regarding their children’s behavior, challenges and general frustrations regarding their parenting responsibilities. Furthermore, a workshop was offered to the increase parent’s knowledge, to help them to advocate for their children and to be involved in the children’s education and planning.