Coaching approaches in early intervention and paediatric rehabilitation

Abstract

Currently, coaching is increasingly applied to foster the involvement of families with an infant or young child with special needs in early intervention and paediatric rehabilitation. Coaching practices are included in many forms of intervention and are regarded as essential to reach beneficial outcomes for the child and family. There are, however, many ambiguities that blur the concept of coaching and hamper its understanding and integration as an evidence‐based approach in early intervention and paediatric rehabilitation: lack of differentiation between coaching and training of families, for example. Challenges to incorporate coaching into professional practice relate to adult learning processes and knowledge acquisition, and transformation of attitudes, beliefs, and treatment habits. In this paper, we review the barriers encountered and the possibilities available to promote successful implementation of coaching in early childhood interventions. What this paper adds Literature defines coaching ambiguously, which hampers its implementation in early intervention. The term ‘coaching’ should be reserved for relationship‐directed, family‐centred intervention.

Pediatric Physical Therapy Telehealth and COVID-19: Factors, Facilitators, and Barriers Influencing Effectiveness—a Survey Study

“…The definition of coaching related to therapeutic intervention is often disputed and can range from “parent coaching” to “parent training.” 17 “Parent coaching” is viewed as a collaboration during which the PT supports caregiver decision making to increase empowerment. 17 Alternatively, in “parent teaching,” the PT instructs the caregiver in carrying out specific interventions during daily routines to support the child's development. 17 The partnership between the caregiver and the PT during telehealth sessions likely encompasses both definitions.…”

“… 17 Alternatively, in “parent teaching,” the PT instructs the caregiver in carrying out specific interventions during daily routines to support the child's development. 17 The partnership between the caregiver and the PT during telehealth sessions likely encompasses both definitions. A coaching model has been shown to be effective in pediatric physical therapy, particularly early intervention.…”

Early Diagnostics and Early Intervention in Neurodevelopmental Disorders—Age-Dependent Challenges and Opportunities

“…How early intervention can be implemented best in family settings is a matter of debate [ 142 ]. Important questions that currently need to be answered are: (a) should family members function as co-therapists or should they stick to their role of parent and care-giver; and (b) should caregiver instruction and training be recommended, or rather caregiver coaching [ 143 , 144 ]?…”

The Coping with and Caring for Infants with Special Needs intervention was associated with improved motor development in preterm infants

“…This analysis revealed that, at 18 months of corrected age, parent training was associated with worse motor outcomes, while parent coaching was associated with better motor outcomes. Caregiver training and coaching are two different approaches with different goals, beliefs and attitudes 30 . In this study, they also produced different motor outcomes in the infants.…”