While quantitative research has traditionally dominated the evaluation of these programs, this study highlights the importance of understanding caregivers' perspectives to ensure that programs meet the needs of those who use them. The study explored the outcomes of the More Than Words (MTW) program, a virtual caregiver-delivered program, by analyzing interviews with 21 caregivers who had recently participated in the program.
Five key themes emerged from the analysis:
- Caregivers learned new strategies to facilitate their child's development.
- Caregivers developed a new mindset.
- Children gained functional communication skills.
- Caregiver-child relationships improved.
- Caregivers gained a social and professional support network.
These themes fall within four components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework: Activities, Participation, Personal Factors, and Environmental Factors. Notably, no themes were identified under Body Structures and Functions, suggesting a shift away from traditional biomedical outcomes to more functional and meaningful outcomes for families.
Practical Implications for Clinicians
For speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and other practitioners, these findings offer several actionable insights:
- Focus on Functional Outcomes: Prioritize goals that address functional communication skills and participation in daily activities.
- Incorporate Caregiver Perspectives: Actively involve caregivers in goal-setting and program development to ensure their needs and preferences are met.
- Facilitate Peer Support: Create opportunities for caregivers to connect and share experiences, enhancing their support network.
Encouraging Further Research
This study underscores the need for more qualitative research to complement quantitative findings. By exploring caregivers' lived experiences, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the outcomes that matter most to families. Future research should consider the long-term impacts of caregiver-delivered programs and develop tools to measure outcomes within the Participation, Personal Factors, and Environmental Factors components of the ICF framework.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: We were the best people to do the job: Caregivers reported outcomes of a virtual caregiver-delivered program for autistic preschoolers.
