A Pilot Investigation of a Parenting Intervention for Parents and Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD)

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurpose: Research is only beginning to address the extent to which evidence-based parenting programmes have utility and merit within populations of children and families with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a parent-focused intervention for families who have a child with a NDD and investigate whether this type of intervention could improve parental self-efficacy; child behaviour, and child quality of life (QoL).Design/methodology/approach: In total five families caring for a child with a NDD participated in an evidenced-based parenting programme. A repeated measures design was employed to measure parental self-efficacy levels, child behaviour and child QoL. Glass’s delta was used to measure effect sizes.Findings: Clinically significant improvements from pre to post-intervention were noted in seven of the eight parenting domains and seven of the ten child behaviour domains assessed, with medium to large effect sizes reported.Research limitations/implications: It was anticipated that children would benefit indirectly through the intervention, however this was not supported.Practical implications: This research adds to the evidence base on the potential for parent-focused interventions within NDD.Originality/value: These findings support the potential effectiveness of parenting programmes in NDD populations.