Naturalistic Inquiry and the Assessment of Young Handicapped Children and Their Families

Abstract

Naturalistic inquiry is presented as an alternative to traditional assessment and experimental methodologies for measuring the effects of early intervention programs upon young handicapped children and their families. The use of naturalistic procedures, such as participant observation and interviews, is discussed and the inductive nature of the naturalistic method is highlighted. An illustrative study of the maternal perceptions of the diagnostic process involving handicapped and health-impaired infants is briefly described and the potential strengths and weaknesses of the naturalistic approach, as reflected by this study, are examined. Finally, suggestions are offered for uses of naturalistic procedures either alone or in combination with quantitative approaches in early intervention research with families.