READINESS LEVEL OF PARENTS FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS IN EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMME SERVICES

Early intervention programme services in special education can be said to be support and assistance services to optimally develop children’s development and potential. The purpose of the study is to identify the level of readiness of parents for students with special educational needs in early intervention programme services. This study was carried out with a quantitative approach of questionnaire survey design. This study is based on the Epstein Model (1995). The study sample involved 138 parents of children with special educational needs from the Johor Bahru district using a simple random sampling method. Data was collected using a questionnaire adapted from the Special Education Teacher Questionnaire Part A and Part B instrument. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics. Based on the findings of the study, it can be found that the level of parental readiness in the early intervention programme is at a high level. This study can provide important input and awareness to parents of children with special education needs, special education teachers and the parties concerned about the effectiveness and importance of early intervention programme for children with special education needs.