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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL

NEEDS: REVIEWING RELATED LITERATURE

Article · February 2025

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International Journal of Society Reviews (INJOSER) e-ISSN: 3030-802X
Vol. 3 No. 2, February 2025, pages: 367~373

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:

REVIEWING RELATED LITERATURE

Arbianingsih
Departemen Keperawatan Anak, Fakultas Kedokteran dan Ilmu Kesehatan, Universitas
Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar
[email protected]

Abstract
This study reviews the literature related to parental involvement in the education of
children with special needs and its impact on children's development. The results show
that active parental involvement contributes significantly to the academic progress and
social-emotional development of children with special needs. It also improves the
overall quality of family life through a better understanding of children's needs and the
creation of a supportive learning environment. However, there are several barriers that
hinder parental involvement, such as lack of information and resources, and financial
burden. Therefore, support from the government, schools and communities is needed
to optimise parental participation in the education of children with special needs.
Keywords: Involvement, Parents, Education of Children with Special Needs.

Introduction
Education is the basic right of every child, including children with special needs.
Children with special needs are children who require special attention, teaching and
support in their learning process because they have physical, emotional or cognitive
conditions that are different from children in general. Inclusive education is present as
an effort to ensure that children with special needs get equal and equal opportunities in
obtaining education (Sitopu et al., 2024) ; (Iksal et al., 2024) ; (Fawait et al., 2024) .
Inclusive education is an educational approach that seeks to ensure that all
students, including those with special needs, are welcomed and supported within the
same school environment. The key principle of inclusive education is equity and the full
involvement of all students in the teaching-learning process, without discrimination
(Hong, 2021) . This means that schools should adapt the learning environment,
curriculum and teaching methods to suit the individual needs of each student, with the
aim of providing equal learning opportunities and supporting the academic and social
development of all learners, so that they can feel valued and recognised within their
school community (Burke et al., 2020) .
Inclusive education is important because it creates a fair and equal learning
environment for all students, including those with special needs. By implementing
inclusive education, schools can ensure that every child gets equal opportunities to
develop academically, socially and emotionally (Thomas & Loxley, 2022) . Inclusive
education also helps to build a more inclusive and tolerant society, where differences
are valued and individuals feel accepted. In addition, inclusive education can improve

367
learning outcomes for all students by encouraging more creative and adaptive teaching
methods that benefit all learners (Tan et al., 2022) .
Parents play an important role in children's lives, including in the education of
children with special needs. Parental involvement in children's education has a
significant impact on their academic, social and emotional development. This includes
various forms of involvement, ranging from emotional support, assistance with
schoolwork, to participating in the relationship between school and family (Aslan, 2019)
; (Shintia et al., 2024) .
Studies have shown that parental involvement in the education of children with
special needs can improve learning outcomes and emotional well-being. However, this
involvement is not always easy and is often faced with various challenges. Parents of
children with special needs may face barriers such as lack of knowledge and resources,
emotional challenges and lack of support from educational institutions (Mieghem et al.,
2020) .
In response to this challenge, it is important to examine what forms of parental
involvement are effective and the strategies that can be used to increase their
involvement in supporting the education of children with special needs. This study aims
to review the literature on parental involvement in the education of children with
special needs, analyse the factors that influence it and summarise the key findings that
can be used as a basis for recommendations on education policy and practice.
By reviewing the existing literature, it is hoped that a deeper understanding of
the importance of parents' role in the education of children with special needs and
effective strategies to increase their involvement can be obtained, so as to support the
development and success of children with special needs in education.

Research Methods
The study in this research uses the literature method. The literature research
method is an approach used to collect, review, and analyse pre-existing information in
the form of books, journal articles, research reports, and other academic sources. The
main purpose of this method is to understand the existing research landscape, identify
gaps or deficiencies in current knowledge, and formulate more specific research
questions (Alaslan ;, 2022) (Suyitno, 2021) . Literature research involves a systematic
process of searching related literature, evaluating the credibility and relevance of
sources, and synthesising findings to gain a comprehensive view of the topic under
study. Using this method, researchers can build a strong theoretical foundation, inform
further research design, and avoid duplication in research efforts (Adlini et al., 2022) .

368
Results and Research
The role of parents in the education of children with special needs
The role of parents in the education of children with special needs is crucial, given
that they are the ones who know and understand their children's needs, strengths and
weaknesses best. Parents act as the main advocates for access to appropriate education
for their children (Sue & Okazaki, 2022) . They should understand their child's rights in
the education system, be actively involved in individualised education planning (IEP) and
ensure that the school provides the necessary support. This involvement is important
to ensure that any interventions and learning strategies implemented are appropriate
to the child's needs and support the achievement of their full potential (Briggs, 2020) .
In addition, parents also serve as the main emotional support for children with
special needs. Children with special needs often face greater challenges than their
peers, both academically and socially. Parents can help overcome feelings of frustration,
low self-esteem or anxiety that children may experience by providing encouragement,
positive reinforcement and building their confidence. This emotional support is
important for children's healthy mental and emotional development, allowing them to
feel valued and able to face challenges (Reay, 2023) .
When it comes to academics, parents can also play the role of educators at home.
They can help children with schoolwork, explain subject matter, and practice skills that
may require repetition or additional practice. By understanding the curriculum and
teaching methods used at school, parents can make learning activities at home more
relevant and useful. They can also coordinate with teachers to provide useful feedback
in adjusting teaching methods according to children's development (McGee, 2021) .
The role of parents is also important in developing the social skills of children
with special needs. They can help children learn to interact with others, understand and
apply social etiquette, and develop friends. This can be done through simulating social
situations at home, supporting participation in extracurricular activities, or creating play
opportunities with peers (Minkos & Gelbar, 2021) . The ability to interact effectively with
others is an important aspect of children's lives and determines how they function in
society as adults (Mphahlele, 2020) .
Finally, parents should constantly update their knowledge about their child's
special needs and various effective educational strategies. Attending trainings, seminars
and joining support groups can help parents get the latest information and share
experiences with other parents facing similar situations (Latzer et al., 2021) . By
becoming more informed and empowered, parents can not only help their children
more effectively but can also play an active role in influencing education policies and
services for children with special needs in their communities. These efforts are essential
to creating an education system that is more inclusive and responsive to the unique
needs of each child (Garbe et al., 2020) .

369
 As such, the role of parents in the education of children with special needs is
significant and multi-faceted. Not only do they act as advocates who ensure the child
has access to appropriate education, but also as emotional supporters who help the
child overcome emotional and social challenges. Parents also serve as educators at
home, supporting their child's academic learning and social skills. By continuously
actualising their knowledge of special needs and educational strategies, parents can be
more effective in supporting children's development and influencing more inclusive
education policies. Comprehensive and continuous support from parents enables
children with special needs to reach their full potential and function well in society.

Effective strategies to increase parental involvement in children with special needs

The first effective strategy to increase parental involvement is through proper
education and training. Parents need to be equipped with specialised knowledge and
skills on how to educate children with special needs. This can be in the form of seminars,
workshops or online courses that provide information on different types of special
needs, appropriate learning methods and behaviour management techniques. By better
understanding their child's condition, parents will feel more confident and ready to
support their child in various aspects of life (Doyle, 2020) .
Building a community or support group for parents of children with special needs
can be a very effective strategy. This community can serve as a place to share
experiences, tips and strategies that have been successfully implemented by other
parents. In addition, community members can provide each other with emotional
support, which is an important aspect in dealing with the challenges that often arise.
With social support, parents do not feel alone and are more motivated to be actively
involved in educating their children (Thomas & Loxley, 2022) .
Collaboration between parents, teachers and other professionals such as
therapists or psychologists is essential in providing a conducive learning environment
for children with special needs. Regular meetings between parents and teachers to
discuss the child's development, challenges faced, and strategies that can be
implemented at home and at school is one effective way to ensure continuity in the
child's education (Rhodes et al., 2020) . This way, the child receives consistent support
from the various parties involved.
To increase parental involvement, it is important for schools or other relevant
institutions to provide a range of resources that are easily accessible to parents. This
could be additional learning materials, guidance on special needs or access to
educational technology tools. The resources should be easy to understand and practical
to implement at home. With access to these resources, parents can be more active and
effective in supporting their children's education (Kirksey et al., 2024) .
Finally, creating a favourable environment for parental involvement is also an
important strategy. This can start with school policies that encourage active

370
participation of parents in teaching and learning activities and extracurricular activities.
For example, organising special events for parents, discussion rooms and
communication forums between parents and the school. When schools open up and
provide space for parents to be involved, parents will feel more valued and motivated
to participate in their children's education (Parmigiani et al., 2021) .
By implementing these strategies, it is hoped that parental involvement in the
education of children with special needs can be significantly increased, which in turn will
have a positive impact on the child's development and well-being.

Conclusion
Parental involvement in the education of children with special needs plays a very
important role and has a positive impact on both their academic and social-emotional
development. The literature shows that children with special needs who receive active
support from their parents tend to have better academic performance, as well as more
optimal social and emotional skills development than those who do not receive such
support. Involved parents often provide a more inclusive and supportive learning
environment, and work with teachers and educators to develop educational strategies
that work best for their child.
Moreover, parental involvement also plays a role in improving the quality of life
for the whole family. Parents who are active in the education of their children with
special needs usually have a better understanding of their children's needs and abilities
and are therefore able to plan more effective interventions and support. In addition, this
involvement also creates better communication between home and school, which in
turn increases the child's confidence and sense of belonging to their educational
environment. Emotional and motivational support provided by parents helps children
with special needs to cope with daily learning challenges.
However, several barriers still exist that hinder parents' full involvement in the
education of children with special needs. These include a lack of information, support
and resources available to parents, as well as significant financial and emotional
burdens. It is therefore important for governments, schools and communities to
provide adequate programmes, training and resources to support parental
involvement. This will not only help children with special needs reach their full potential,
but also strengthen the social support network around the family and society at large.

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