| Prior research has shown that parents of children with developmental delays often experience elevated stress levels. This mixed methods study assessed parental perceptions of a voluntary family-centered early intervention program for children ages 0 through 3. The program provides an interdisciplinary therapeutic approach to meet the individual demands of each child and family in the following fields: speech therapy, occupational therapy, floortime therapy, and mental health therapy, social skills groups, as well as parent support groups. Services are provided based on the individual needs of the child and the family.;The researcher was able to interview 29 parents in an attempt to understand their lived experiences of what was and was not effective during the treatment process. Additionally, parents completed the Parent Stress Index/Short Form (PSI/SF), which measures parents' stress level within the parent-child relationship upon entry to the program and again after 6 months. Also, the researcher attempted to determine if the intensity of therapeutic hours was a factor.;The effectiveness of the program was evident in that 100% of participants believed that all program components were beneficial and none should be deleted. Furthermore, 93% believed the program helped increase positive relations within the family system as well as strengthened marital relationship. Also, 97% of participants felt empowered and supported by their therapists as their knowledge and information was increased, signifying the importance in the quality of the parent-therapist relationship. In addition, 87% of participants believed they were provided with tools and strategies to enable them to take their developmentally delayed child out into the community. The results of the pre and posttest scores of the PSI/SF indicated a minute difference in all categories, suggesting the ineffectiveness of the tool in determining parents' stress levels as stress is constantly fluctuating depending on life circumstances. Additionally, the intensity of therapeutic hours as well as the duration in the program did not present as a factor. Conclusions generated from this study validate the efficacy of one early intervention center in utilizing a family-centered approach to therapy as well as a multidisciplinary model that is relationship based. |
