Creating Family-Centered Services in Early Intervention: Perceptions of Professionals in Four States

Abstract

This article describes professional perceptions of the current status of family involvement in early intervention programs in four states. Significant discrepancies between current and ideal practices were found in four dimensions: parent involvement in decisions about child assessment, parent participation in assessment, parent participation in the team meeting and decision making, and the provision of family goals and services. In identifying barriers to ideal programs, professionals most frequently mentioned family barriers (35.8%) and system barriers (35.1%). Professional barriers, or those related to a lack of skill, accounted for only 14.8% of the barriers mentioned.

Occupational therapists' attitudes toward family-centered care

“…The family-centered care philosophy maintains that families must be provided with full information about their child. Families are to be treated with respect and with care and are to be considered a partner with the professionals in the care of their young child (Bailey, Buysee, Edmondson, & Smith, 1992;Bruce et al, 2002). The law specifically supports family involvement at all levels of service delivery.…”

“…Professionals in early intervention report three types of barriers to the familycentered care process: professional, system, and family (Bailey, et al, 1992;Bruce et al, 2002;Hamilton, Roach, & Riley, et al, 2003). Concerning the first barrier, familycentered care practices reflect a major change from previous practice and people are typically resistant to major changes in work demands (Bailey, et al).…”

“…Finally, family barriers include parents' lack of understanding of the early intervention process; limited means, time, and social support systems; and frequent life crisis situations (Bailey et al, 1992;Hamilton et al, 2003). Additionally, cultural issues may impede parental participation in the family-centered care process.…”

“…Research in family-centered care further suggests that clinicians' attitudes toward such care will influence their professional behaviors (Bailey et al, 1992, Bruce et al, 2002. Although under Part C pediatric occupational therapists are primary service providers, at this time there is limited information concerning their attitudes toward family-centered care.…”

“…Though clinicians may hold favorable views toward family-centered care, they report they did not always demonstrate familycentered behavior (Bruce et al, 2002). Numerous researchers have discussed the barriers and challenges to family-centered care (e.g., Bailey et al, 1992; Schultz-Krohn & Cara;…”