Types and Patterns of Professional-Family Talk in Home-Based Early Intervention

Abstract

This study examined the process of communication within the professional-family relationship by identifying and describing the types and patterns of talk during interactions between 15 families of young children with developmental delays and their respective early interventionists. Videotaped interactions of routine home visits were coded using a computerized coding system designed to record and analyze professional-family talk related to direct and indirect communication approaches. The tapes yielded 13,145 verbal behaviors and 2,155 sequential patterns. Correlational and sequential analyses revealed that when professionals used more indirect verbal behavior there was more active verbal involvement by family members. In addition, specific professional behaviors tended to be followed by particular sequences of interaction. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Striving for Therapeutic Relationships: Parent-Provider Communication in the Developmental Treatment Setting

“…Investigation of the actual interactions between parents and providers was found in only one study, which analyzed the type of communications that occurred during early intervention home visits (Brady, Peters, Gamel-McCormick, & Venuto, 2004). Home visit intervention sessions were videotaped and analyzed using a previously developed tool.…”

A avaliação das práticas como contributo para a promoção da qualidade dos programas de intervenção precoce

“…Estes resultados divergem dos que são reportados nos estudos internacionais que referimos (Brady et al, 2004;Campbell & Sawyer, 2007;Keilty, 2008;McBride & Peterson, 1997;Peterson et al, 2007;Rydley & O'Kelley, 2008;Turnbull et al, 2007), que revelam ser a maioria das interacções entre os profissionais e as crianças, mantendo-se as famílias, frequentemente, não envolvidas. Divergem, também dos dados reportados por Marques (2003) num estudo com método e medidas semelhantes, que mostram uma intervenção muito centrada no bebé, não promovendo a autonomia da família.…”

Making Decisions about Children's Disabilities: Mediation and Structuration in Cross-System Meetings

“…Chopra and French (2004) noted that parents of children with disabilities are partners with school professionals ''in the care, treatment, and education of their children' ' (p. 240). However, research indicates that the extent to which parents actually participate in exchanging feelings, ideas, and information varies (Brady et al, 2004;Crais et al, 2006;Kjaerbeck, 2008;Pappas et al, 2008). For instance, Brady et al (2004) found that family participation in early intervention discussions were significantly and positively correlated with professionals accepting ideas, praising, and encouraging.…”

“…However, research indicates that the extent to which parents actually participate in exchanging feelings, ideas, and information varies (Brady et al, 2004;Crais et al, 2006;Kjaerbeck, 2008;Pappas et al, 2008). For instance, Brady et al (2004) found that family participation in early intervention discussions were significantly and positively correlated with professionals accepting ideas, praising, and encouraging. However, questions asked by professionals were not significantly correlated with family member talk, with 96% of professionals' questions being closed-ended.…”

“…A fundamental feature of collaboration is an exchange of feelings, ideas, and information (Brady, Peters, Gamel-McCormick, & Venuto, 2004). Chopra and French (2004) noted that parents of children with disabilities are partners with school professionals ''in the care, treatment, and education of their children' ' (p. 240).…”