Examining transition process from early intervention to preschool for children with special needs based on the bioecological systems theory: A transition model suggestion

The purpose of this research is to examine the process that the children with special needs transit from early intervention to preschool, based on the bioecological systems theory and to develop a model suggestion. The participants of the research are doctors, members of Special Education Assessment Board in Counseling and Research Center, directors in private special education and rehabilitation centers and preschool education institutions, teachers and chiefs of special education department in District Directorate of National Education. 70 stakeholders were made semi-structured interviews in the phenomenological modelled research. As a result of content analysis, it was reached to totally 4 main themes (positive sides, problems, suggestions and expectations) and the findings of the research was composed. While the stakeholders stated that they exchanged information in the theme "positive sides", all of them identified as common problem that it couldn't be provided communication and cooperation in the theme "problems". Their similar suggestions for this problem in the theme "suggestions" seemed that there was a problem related to communication and cooperation between each other. The parents expressed that the stakeholders didn't give them information for diagnosis, referral and transition whereas the stakeholders identified that they informed the parents in the theme "positive sides". In the theme "suggestions", it was stated that the studies could be made for developing the stakeholders' knowledge and skills and some regulations could be made for transition. In the theme "expectations", they similarly mentioned financial support, increasing education duration and preparing the children for transition process.