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From Research to Real World Support: Guides for Parents
From Research to Real World Support: Guides for Parents
Welcome to the Research to Real-World series—a growing collection of resource guides designed to bridge the gap between academic research and everyday advocacy. Each guide in this series is grounded in peer-reviewed studies that were conducted by Dr. Narmene Hamsho and her colleagues. These resources are crafted to empower families and educators with clear, actionable insights that support children in school and beyond.
Whether you're preparing for an IEP meeting, navigating classroom supports, or simply looking to better understand your child’s educational experience, these guides are here to help—rooted in evidence, written with care.
Is a paraprofessional right for my autistic child?
Is a paraprofessional right for my autistic child?
As a researcher and co-developer of the Smooth Sailing professional development program, I’ve spent years studying how relationships between educators and autistic students shape learning and well-being. In this guide below, I've translated one of my research publications into practical guidance for families. This guide below is designed to empower parents with insights and questions to ask during their child's IEP meetings—especially when paraprofessionals are involved in supporting their child. Drawing directly from my research, it highlights the importance of educator-child relationships, the unique role of paraprofessionals, and how parents can advocate for training, consistency, and independence-building strategies.
Whether you're navigating your first IEP meeting or looking to strengthen your child’s support team, this guide is here to help you build bridges—from conflict to connection.
Hamsho, N., Collier-Meek, M., McAvoy, H., Blacher, J & Eisenhower, A. (2024). Relationships of Paraeducators and Teachers with their Autistic Students. Journal of School Psychology, 105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2024.101321.
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