Early intervention services (EIS) have long been essential for supporting children with developmental delays and their families. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges but also unique opportunities to rethink traditional approaches. A recent study titled "Early Intervention Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain: Toward a Model of Family-Centered Practices" sheds light on these changes and offers valuable insights for practitioners.
Conducted by Rosa Vilaseca and colleagues, this study explored how the pandemic affected EIS in Spain, focusing on the transition from child-centered to family-centered practices (FCP). The research involved 81 families and 213 professionals, revealing both the successes and areas needing improvement in implementing FCP during the pandemic.
Key Findings
- Increased Use of Telehealth: The pandemic forced EIS to adopt telehealth solutions, allowing professionals to connect with families via video calls and other online platforms. This shift enabled professionals to gain deeper insights into family dynamics and daily routines.
- Positive Perceptions: Parents who were more involved in their children's care and those who had used telematic tools before the pandemic reported more positive experiences with the new intervention model.
- Need for Training: Despite the positive feedback, the study highlighted that many professionals continued to adopt a directive role, contrary to the principles of FCP. This indicates a clear need for more training to fully embrace family-centered approaches.
Implications for Practitioners
For practitioners looking to improve their skills and outcomes, the study offers several actionable insights:
- Embrace Telehealth: Utilize telehealth tools to connect with families in their natural environments. This approach can provide a more holistic view of the child's context and foster stronger family engagement.
- Focus on Family Needs: Shift from a directive role to a more collaborative one. Empower families by involving them in decision-making processes and tailoring interventions to their specific needs and routines.
- Invest in Training: Seek out training opportunities that emphasize family-centered practices. This can help bridge the gap between traditional child-centered approaches and more effective family-centered models.
By integrating these practices, professionals can enhance the effectiveness of early intervention services, ultimately leading to better outcomes for children and their families.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Early Intervention Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain: Toward a Model of Family-Centered Practices.
