Children’s participation in early intervention: social representations of practitioners and families

Abstract

The objective of this research is to characterize the social representations of practitioners and families about children and their rights with a particular focus on participation in early intervention practices (IP). Methodologically the research is a qualitative one focusing on a case study conducted in the district of Setúbal in Portugal. Surveys and interviews with EI practitioners and families were conducted in order to enable a characterization of their discourses. Data was analysed through discourse categorization and analysis which led to an inductive and interpretive text, taking as reference a multi-disciplinary framework that places the Sociology of Childhood and Early Intervention into dialogue. In the analysed discourses children are represented as subjects of rights in the dimensions of provision and protection. In relation to participation, it is marked by obstacles to its realization and promotion based on the dimensions as a minority, paternalism, to (im)maturity and disability(ies). Children are seen as son/daughter and as subjects of intervention. It is explicit in the interviews the difficulty in implementing children’s participation in practices of IP. This research sought to bring a value-added contribution especially for bringing productive complementarities between different knowledge and perspectives and focus on the extent of participatory rights of children’s with disabilities or at risk of development. It also intended to contribute to rethinking and increasing opportunities that effectively promote and guarantee children’s rights.