By Vicki Lopes

Purpose Vicki Lopes is in her first year of her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University Investigate the role of child characteristics, resources and parental perceptions in predicting a successful transition into school for children with and without Developmental Delay (DD) School readiness and quality of life were outcome measures of the success of transition

Participants Vicki Lopes is in her first year of her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University 29 Parents of children with DD Including autism, Fragile X, Down syndrome and global developmental delay Children aged 43 to 71 months 19 parents of children without DD Children aged 44 to 61 months

Methodology Vicki Lopes is in her first year of her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University  Structured interviews with parents  Questionnaires completed by teachers and parents  Three survey points: Prior to transition, during transition and post transition

Theoretical Model Vicki Lopes is in her first year of her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University Transition Success Child Characteristics Family Resources Parental Perceptions

Results Vicki Lopes is in her first year of her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University Children with DD Lower adaptive behaviour Marginally serious maladaptive behaviour 35% participating in social activities Using 3.5 services on average Lower school readiness scores in all domains Lower parental satisfaction with child’s sense of belonging Children without DD Higher adaptive behaviour Normal maladaptive behaviour 76% participating in social activities Using less than 1 service on average Age appropriate school readiness scores in all domains Higher parental satisfaction with child’s belonging

Results Parents of children with DD Lower income bracket: $35,000 to $45,000 Mild to moderate levels of parenting stress Positive perceptions of child Using problem focused coping most Parents of children without DD Higher income bracket: $65,000 to $75,000 No to mild levels of parenting stress Positive perceptions of child Problem focused coping most

Results Vicki Lopes is in her first year of her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University  Few variables changed over the course of transition  No factors predicted higher quality of life  Only adaptive behaviour predicted physical health and well-being, and language and cognitive development  Only adaptive behaviour and income predicted social and emotional development

Conclusion Vicki Lopes is in her first year of her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University Although a number of factors differentiated children with DD and their families from children without DD, these factors did not sufficiently predict school transition