Abstract
ABSTRACT Several studies have stressed the outcomes for families who are supported by Early Intervention in the following dimensions: knowledge/information; development of competencies; well-being; and quality of life. As a result, this study assessed 999 families to examine the outcomes of Early Intervention in Portugal. Our results show that families supported by Early Intervention benefit in dimensions related to the development of competencies in the child and the family, and to the gain of information and knowledge about support and community resources, which results in perceived control and co-responsibility. The analysis of the outcomes of Early Intervention also shows that parents’ education and occupation levels are determining variables for a family to benefit from the positive impact of Early Intervention. In light of such results, we present recommendations for practices in the area of Early Intervention with the aim of adapting the practices of professionals to the concerns and priorities of Portuguese families.
Highlights
Several studies have stressed the outcomes for families who are supported by Early Intervention in the following dimensions: knowledge/information; development of competencies; well-being; and quality of life
Results will be presented according to the three research questions asked: Do families consider receiving outcomes from Early Intervention (EI) support?
The items with the lowest average are, respectively and in ascending order, item 17 – ‘Having, if you wish, a helping relationship with another family ... ’ (4.10); item 21 – ‘Participating in the organizations/associations that exist in our community ... ’ (4.10), item 19 – ‘Finding someone to take care of or stay with our child.’ (4.14), and item 22 – ‘Participating in activities which can improve the support for children with special needs ... ’ (4.24)
Summary
Participants were 999 families with children with SN who had been supported by Local Early Intervention Teams in Portugal, for at least six months, in the year 2015. Most of the participants were mothers (81.2%), while 13.7% were fathers, 3.1% were grandparents, and 2.0% corresponded to other degrees of kinship (e.g. cousin, aunt, godmother, sister, legal guardian). Regarding parents’ educational level, three levels of schooling were considered, namely: primary to middle school (up to the 9th year of schooling), secondary education (from the 10th to the 12th year of schooling), and higher education. Most fathers (41.3%) had very low-level jobs, 21.5% had low-level jobs, 17.1% had high-level jobs, 3.3% had very high-level jobs, and 16.7% were unemployed. Most mothers (36.6%) had very low-level jobs, 17.8% had low-level jobs, 16.9% had a high-level job, 4.1% had a very high-level job, and 24.5% were unemployed
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