Dissertation Proposal Announcement Ed.D. Program: Dawn Carlsen “The Perceptions and Experiences of Parents of Middle School Parents of Students with ADHD”

Intentionally fostering effective and bidirectional communication to support alliances between schools and families (Gormley et al., 2020) benefits middle school students with ADHD. Recognizing the significant role that parents of students with ADHD can play in the educational outcomes for their children, it is vital that schools and teachers understand how to foster positive relationships with families that reflect reciprocal trust and partnership. However, in many cases this is not the situation. As such, this study is founded on the theory that many of the challenges related to the parent/school relationship of students with ADHD can be understood by analyzing the patterns of communication as perceived by parents. There is, however, a scarcity of research that provides empirical data regarding parental perceptions of the causes and contributors to ineffective communication resulting in relational difficulties.

The purpose of this qualitative study, therefore, is to investigate the perspectives and experiences of parents of middle school students with ADHD in relationship to the school. Using an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach, I will use in-depth interviews with parents aiming to examine the communication practices between the home and school, while specifically probing parents’ perceptions of the school’s efficacy in meeting the needs of their child. Communication artifacts and field notes will also contribute to a fuller interpretation of how parents make meaning of their lived experiences as they communicate with the school.

Findings from this study will provide insight to school personnel as they develop policies and practices that cultivate true partnerships with parents in support of middle school students with ADHD. This work will also contribute to the ongoing discussions among both researchers and in-the-field educators aimed at improving outcomes for students with ADHD.

To access the Zoom link required to attend, please contact academic.services@gse.rutgers.edu.