Early intervention services of children with physical disabilities: Complexity of child and family needs

• Published in: Australian occupational therapy journal 2014-04, Vol.61 (2), p.67-75
• Main Authors: Ziviani, Jenny, Darlington, Yvonne, Feeney, Rachel, Rodger, Sylvia, Watter, Pauline
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Caregivers - psychology; Child; Child, Preschool; Children; disability; Disabled children; Disabled Children - rehabilitation; early intervention; Early Intervention (Education) - methods; Early intervention programmes; family-centred practice; Female; Health Services Accessibility - organization & administration; Humans; Male; Needs Assessment; Parent-Child Relations; Parents; Parents - psychology; qualitative research; Service provision; Single mothers; Social Support
• ISSN: 0045-0766; 1440-1630
• DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12059

Background/aim To gain insight into the special issues confronting parents when accessing early intervention for children with physical disabilities where child and/or family characteristics indicate complex needs within the unique Australian context. Methods Qualitative interviews with families receiving early intervention for their children with physical disabilities (N = 10). Families with complex circumstances such as having children with high support needs, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and single‐parent families were recruited to the study. Families where parents had mental or health issues, parents/other family members had an identified disability, and/or where families lived in regional or rural locations were also purposively sampled. Results Participants highlighted issues around (i) the nature of early intervention services provided; (ii) the ways in which services were structured; and (ii) managing their child's needs/planning into the future. Parents stressed the importance of having access to a variety of early intervention services aside from therapy. They also emphasised the need for greater clarity about what to expect from services, the intensity of therapy, other services they could access and how long they would be able to receive these. Conclusions Despite their complex circumstances and needs, participants' experiences of accessing early intervention services were largely consistent with the broader research literature. Of the parents interviewed, those with health problems and single mothers expressed most apprehension about managing their child's needs and planning for the future.