Understanding the Research
The study titled Shaping healthy habits in children with neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders: parent perceptions of barriers, facilitators and promising strategies provides valuable insights into the challenges and strategies for parenting children with neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders (ND/MHD). The research, conducted through semi-structured interviews with parents, highlights the barriers they face and the facilitators that aid them in instilling healthy habits in their children.
Key Findings
Parents of children with ND/MHD often encounter significant challenges in promoting healthy habits, such as:
- Behavioral and Sensory Dysregulation: Children’s dysregulation can make it difficult for parents to set and maintain boundaries around lifestyle habits.
- Contextual Limitations: Long school commutes and lack of specialized health programs can hinder healthy lifestyle adoption.
- Medication Side Effects: Some psychiatric medications can have side effects that impact children’s health habits, such as weight gain.
Despite these challenges, parents identified several facilitators that help them in their parenting journey:
- Specialized Therapeutic Options: Access to therapeutic schools and community programs can significantly reduce parental stress and improve children’s health habits.
- Parent Training Programs: Programs that offer strategies specific to ND/MHD children are crucial in helping parents manage their children’s health habits effectively.
Effective Strategies for Practitioners
Practitioners working with children with ND/MHD can enhance their therapeutic approaches by incorporating the following strategies identified in the study:
- Allowing Agency: Encourage children to make choices within set boundaries to promote ownership and motivation for healthy habits.
- Clear and Consistent Boundaries: Establish structural limits to minimize oppositional behaviors and embed consistent routines.
- Positive Reinforcement: Use reward systems and verbal praise to reinforce healthy choices and behaviors.
- Family Engagement and Role Modeling: Encourage family activities and role modeling to support children in adopting healthy habits.
- Utilizing Pets or Therapy Animals: Incorporate animal-assisted activities to promote physical activity and provide positive reinforcement.
Encouraging Further Research
The study underscores the need for more research to develop adaptive and specialized training for health professionals working with ND/MHD populations. Future research should focus on creating family-based interventions that are realistic and supportive of parents' unique challenges. Practitioners are encouraged to explore these areas further to enhance the support and resources available to families.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Shaping healthy habits in children with neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders: parent perceptions of barriers, facilitators and promising strategies.
