Abstract
Early intervention is developed following different types of service organization, which in turn require different professional and family roles. The aim of this study was to compare the perceived satisfaction and family quality of life amongst families receiving early intervention developed at centers in comparison to those receiving the routines-based early intervention in families’ homes, that is a family centered intervention in ecological environments. Under a transformative paradigm, a mixed methods design was used, using the Consumer Report Effectiveness Scale (CRES-4) and the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale (FQOLS) and two focus groups as data collection instruments. The sample comprised 166 parents in the quantitative phase and 16 parents in the qualitative phase. Results showed that families receiving routines-based early intervention had greater satisfaction with the service although both groups showed similar scores for family quality of life in most of the analyzed domains. Three dimensions were identified throughout the qualitative phase: problem solving, professional team and service organization. Both the models analyzed have an impact on family quality of life and parents are in general satisfied. Strengths and weaknesses were found related to the problem-solving process, the role of the professional team, family empowerment and the service’s organization. The areas requiring further development are the effective training of professionals focused on family practices, the exchange of information with the family and a more participatory organization that takes parent’s perspectives into consideration. The value given to a combined model is another aspect highlighted in this study, as well as the need for a more agile assessment period to avoid unnecessary delays.
Highlights
Intervention is the set of interventions for children and their families to provide support, improve personal development, strengthen family skills, and promote the inclusion of the family and the child, through experiences and learning opportunities plus the support and resources provided by caregivers (GAT, 2005; Dunst et al, 2019)
The seventies decade was significant for the current early intervention paradigm, influenced by theoretical perspectives such as the transactional model of Sameroff and Chandler (1975), the ecology of human development model of Bronfenbrenner (1979), the theory of structural cognitive modifiability of Feuerstein (1980) or Leal’s (1999) theory of family systems where family is understood as a complex system with its own unique characteristics that evolve depending on their members’ needs (Leal, 2008; Minuchin, 2012)
This study shows that families are in general satisfied with the early intervention received, both those who attend EIC services and those who receive EINE services
Summary
Intervention is the set of interventions for children and their families to provide support, improve personal development, strengthen family skills, and promote the inclusion of the family and the child, through experiences and learning opportunities plus the support and resources provided by caregivers (GAT, 2005; Dunst et al, 2019). Comparison of Two Early Interventions as well as the organization of services oriented toward children and families have gone through different stages during the last decade (Guralnick, 2001). Early childhood intervention was mainly influenced by the biomedical paradigm, focused on the mental, physical, or sensory deficiencies and services where addressed to rehabilitating the children’s different affected areas, with little room for family involvement in the process (Dunst, 1998; Rouse, 2012; Romero et al, 2015; Belda, 2016; Díaz, 2019). The importance and potential value of a worldwide commitment to provide comprehensive early intervention services for children at risk of or with identified disabilities is relevant but differs amongst countries and regions worldwide (Guralnick and Albertini, 2006)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
