To provide the most effective services for young children with disabilities and their families across the spectrum of diversity, EI/ECSE practitioners should engage in ongoing reflective inquiry (DEC Code of Ethics, 2022). It is vital that this process include acknowledging one’s assumptions, and how these may be influencing decision-making, collaborations, or beliefs about others.
In the following response, please demonstrate your knowledge/ reflections of this by addressing the following ideas:
Defining and demonstrating knowledge of key ideas/concepts that are infused in the work that we do in ECSE/EI including:
Definitions/conceptualizations of disability (e.g., medical model, social model)
Ableism
Intersectionality
Positionality
Consider how these key ideas/ concepts inevitably influence collaborations with other professionalism and/or partnerships with families. As part of this, consider how the DEC Recommended Practices 2014; linked below) can be incorporated in your response, especially as they pertain to practices around Families and Teaming and Collaboration.
Reflect on the importance of engaging in continuous, self-reflection on these ideas/concepts is important as ECSE/EI professionals. This includes how it can influence how one perceives their job, the way they collaborate/partner, and their role as an advocate and leader in the field.
