Postgraduate-qualified teachers' experiences interacting with educators of their own disabled children

Article

Leslie, Rachel and Leslie, Gavin. 2026. "Postgraduate-qualified teachers' experiences interacting with educators of their own disabled children." Support for Learning. 41 (1). https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9604.70031
Article Title

Postgraduate-qualified teachers' experiences interacting with educators of their own disabled children

ERA Journal ID20732
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsLeslie, Rachel and Leslie, Gavin
Journal TitleSupport for Learning
Journal Citation41 (1)
Article Numbere700031
Number of Pages12
Year2026
PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN0268-2141
1467-9604
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9604.70031
Web Address (URL)https://nasenjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1467-9604.70031
Abstract

Research and policy espouse the virtues of parent–school partnerships in delivering positive outcomes for students with disabilities, however an erosion of trust can lead to a breakdown in the relationship. Though, parents who share cultural capital with teachers experience more successful parent–school partnerships, parents who act as allies for their disabled children can be labelled as tricky or difficult. This article
examines the experiences of four parents who hold postgraduate qualifications in education when interacting with the schools of their disabled children. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), this study explored how, when, and why parents with postgraduate qualifications in education experienced difficulties within the parent–school partnership. It was found that bringing their knowledge and expertise to the table when acting as allies to their children could deliver benefits, but often resulted in a partnership breakdown that positioned the
teacher as the expert and the parent as the subordinate partner.

Keywordsparental expertise; disability; parental allyship; privileged discourse; parent–school partnerships
Contains Sensitive ContentContains sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390203. Sociology of education
390407. Inclusive education
Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/101538/postgraduate-qualified-teachers-experiences-interacting-with-educators-of-their-own-disabled-children

Log in to edit

Download files

Published Version
Support for Learning - 2026 - Leslie - Postgraduate‐qualified teachers experiences interacting with educators of their own.pdf
License: CC BY-NC-ND
File access level: Anyone

  • 14
    total views
  • 4
    total downloads
  • 14
    views this month
  • 4
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

'It broke my heart': An investigation of ableist microaggressions towards mothers of Australian dyslexic children in primary school
Leslie, Rachel. 2025. "'It broke my heart': An investigation of ableist microaggressions towards mothers of Australian dyslexic children in primary school." Disability and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2450533
"School can't: a conceptual framework for reframing school refusal and recognising school related stress/distress"
Leslie, Rachel, Oberg, Glenys, Townley, Cris, Westphal, Tiffany, Rogers, Louise and Bromdal, Annette. 2025. ""School can't: a conceptual framework for reframing school refusal and recognising school related stress/distress" ." British Journal of Sociology of Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2025.2552132
Is it school reluctance or refusal? How to tell the difference and help your child
Leslie, Rachel, Bromdal, Annette, Townley, Cris and Oberg, Glenys. 2025. "Is it school reluctance or refusal? How to tell the difference and help your child." Conversation. https://doi.org/10.64628/AA.6hnrmxmnw
NAPLAN testing is about to start. How can you support an anxious child?
Leslie, Rachel. 2025. "NAPLAN testing is about to start. How can you support an anxious child?" Conversation. https://doi.org/10.64628/AA.cmrctn3dv
School Can't: A sociological, intersectional approach to reframing school refusal
Leslie, R.. 2025. "School Can't: A sociological, intersectional approach to reframing school refusal." Australian Network for School Attendance (ANSA) Conference. Melbourne, Australia 04 - 05 Sep 2025
Reframing School Refusal as School Dis/Stress
Leslie, Rachel, Oberg, Glenys, Townley, Cris, Westphal, Tiffany, Rogers, Louise and Bromdal, Annette. 2025. "Reframing School Refusal as School Dis/Stress." Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools National Conference 2025 (APACS 2025). Tasmania, Australia 20 - 21 Oct 2025
School Can’t: Viewing school refusal as a stress/distress response through the lived and living experience of children and parents
Leslie, R., Oberg, G., Townley, C., Westphal, T., Rogers, M.L. and Bromdal, A.. 2025. "School Can’t: Viewing school refusal as a stress/distress response through the lived and living experience of children and parents." European Conference on School Attendance. Ermelo, Netherlands 24 - 26 Sep 2025
Microaggressions, Trauma, and Trauma-Aware Education in Higher Education
Oberg, Glenys and Leslie, Rachel. 2025. "Microaggressions, Trauma, and Trauma-Aware Education in Higher Education." International Childhood Trauma Conference 2025. Melbourne, Australia 17 - 22 Aug 2025
School-based Microaggressions: The Role Of Interpersonal Interactions In The School Context As Contributing To Cumulative Trauma
Leslie, Rachel. 2025. "School-based Microaggressions: The Role Of Interpersonal Interactions In The School Context As Contributing To Cumulative Trauma." International Childhood Trauma Conference 2025. Melbourne, Australia 17 - 22 Aug 2025
Reframing school refusal as school can't: Exploring the phenomenon through a trauma lens
Leslie, Rachel, Oberg, Glenys, Westphal, Tiffany, Rogers, Louise, Townley, Cris and Bromdal, Annette. 2025. "Reframing school refusal as school can't: Exploring the phenomenon through a trauma lens." International Childhood Trauma Conference 2025. Melbourne, Australia 17 - 22 Aug 2025
'Microaggressions' can fly under the radar in schools. Here’s how to spot them and respond
Leslie, Rachel. 2025. "'Microaggressions' can fly under the radar in schools. Here’s how to spot them and respond ." Conversation.
A systematic literature review exploring the evolving roles of school psychologists, counsellors and guidance officers in Australia: Insights using a multi-tiered system of supports framework
Leslie, Rachel and Oberg, Glenys. 2025. "A systematic literature review exploring the evolving roles of school psychologists, counsellors and guidance officers in Australia: Insights using a multi-tiered system of supports framework." Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools. https://doi.org/10.1177/20556365251334771
Too close to home? Stubbornness, spite, and sheer bloody-mindedness as contributors to perseverance in doctoral study
Glasby, Karen, Leslie, Rachel and Fanshawe, Melissa. 2025. "Too close to home? Stubbornness, spite, and sheer bloody-mindedness as contributors to perseverance in doctoral study." The Australian Educational Researcher. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-025-00816-6
'Oh, what does dyslexia do?’: A qualitative investigation of ableist microaggressions towards Australian dyslexic children in primary school
Leslie, Rachel. 2025. "'Oh, what does dyslexia do?’: A qualitative investigation of ableist microaggressions towards Australian dyslexic children in primary school." Disability and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2455556
The perceptions parents of dyslexic children have on barriers to meaningful parent–school partnerships in Australia
Leslie, Rachel, Fanshawe, Melissa, Larsen, Ellen and Brown, Alice. 2025. "The perceptions parents of dyslexic children have on barriers to meaningful parent–school partnerships in Australia." Exceptionality: a special education journal. 33 (1), pp. 40-58. https://doi.org/10.1080/09362835.2024.2389081
Parental allyship for children with dyslexia: A conceptual lens on disability experience
Leslie, Rachel, Brown, Alice and Larsen, Ellen. 2025. "Parental allyship for children with dyslexia: A conceptual lens on disability experience." Learning Disability Quarterly. 48 (1), pp. 3-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/07319487241251730
“It is more than the average parent goes through”: Using the experiences of Australian parents of dyslexic children to draw a distinction between advocacy and allyship
Leslie, Rachel, Larsen, Ellen, Fanshawe, Melissa and Brown, Alice. 2024. "“It is more than the average parent goes through”: Using the experiences of Australian parents of dyslexic children to draw a distinction between advocacy and allyship." Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties. 29 (1), pp. 53-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/19404158.2024.2342523
The experiences of Australian dyslexic children and their parents: An exploration of allyship and parent-school partnerships
Leslie, Rachel. 2024. The experiences of Australian dyslexic children and their parents: An exploration of allyship and parent-school partnerships. PhD by Publication Doctor of Philosophy . University of Southern Queensland. https://doi.org/10.26192/z577z
Reflecting on rapport: strategies for online interviews about sensitive or distressing topics with vulnerable children
Leslie, Rachel, Brown, Alice, Larsen, Ellen and Fanshawe, Melissa. 2024. "Reflecting on rapport: strategies for online interviews about sensitive or distressing topics with vulnerable children." International Journal of Research and Method in Education. 47 (5), pp. 496-509. https://doi.org/10.1080/1743727X.2023.2294781
‘I think most of the teachers go running when they see me’: The perceptions parents of dyslexic children on barriers to meaningful parent-school partnerships in Australia
Leslie, Rachel. 2023. "‘I think most of the teachers go running when they see me’: The perceptions parents of dyslexic children on barriers to meaningful parent-school partnerships in Australia." Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) 2023 Annual Conference. Melbourne, Australia 27 Nov - 01 Dec 2023 Australia.
‘It’s alright. My mum will fix it.’: Using the experiences of dyslexic children and their parents to draw a distinction between advocacy and allyship
Leslie, Rachel. 2023. "‘It’s alright. My mum will fix it.’: Using the experiences of dyslexic children and their parents to draw a distinction between advocacy and allyship." Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) 2023 Annual Conference. Melbourne, Australia 27 Nov - 01 Dec 2023 Australia.
Reflecting on rapport: Strategies for online interviews about sensitive or distressing topics when interviewing children with disabilities
Leslie, Rachel. 2023. "Reflecting on rapport: Strategies for online interviews about sensitive or distressing topics when interviewing children with disabilities." Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) 2023 Annual Conference. Melbourne, Australia 27 Nov - 01 Dec 2023 Australia.
Increasing our awareness of microaggressions in the educational context: An investigation into the experiences of Australian children with dyslexia and their parents
Leslie, Rachel. 2022. "Increasing our awareness of microaggressions in the educational context: An investigation into the experiences of Australian children with dyslexia and their parents ." Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) 2022 Annual Conference. Adelaide, Australia 27 Nov - 01 Dec 2022 Australia. Australian Association for Research in Education.
An emerging lens for understanding parental allyship: Why we need to challenge our understanding of experience with a conceptual lens on disability identity
Leslie, Rachel. 2022. "An emerging lens for understanding parental allyship: Why we need to challenge our understanding of experience with a conceptual lens on disability identity." Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) 2022 Annual Conference. Adelaide, Australia 27 Nov - 01 Dec 2022 Australia.