Language Interpretation, Parent Participation, and Young Children With Disabilities

Spoken parent—educator interactions through language interpreters for parents who do not speak English can challenge early intervention/early childhood special education professionals. Research suggests that language interpretation is often inadequate to ensure that the parental participation, informed parental consent, and interpretation mandates of IDEA (P.L. 108-446) Parts B and C are met. Examples from several contexts are presented to illustrate communication disconnects between early educators and parents. Subsequently, a discussion of quality language interpretation in early intervention/ early childhood special education is presented followed by program and policy recommendations.