The Impact of Parent Involvement on Preterm Children's Participation: Key Insights for Practitioners

As a speech-language pathologist committed to evidence-based practice, understanding the impact of parent involvement on improving the participation of children born preterm is crucial. The study "The impact of parent involvement on improving participation of children born preterm: The story in the baseline" provides significant insights that can help practitioners enhance their intervention strategies.

Understanding the Study

This research focused on a goal-focused, environmental-based approach known as Pathways and Resources for Engagement and Participation (PREP). It aimed to improve the participation of school-aged children born preterm through parental involvement in goal setting and intervention.

Key Findings

• Goal Setting: Significant improvements in activity performance were observed when parents were involved in setting participation goals for their children.
• Environmental-Based Approach: The PREP model, which focuses on modifying environmental barriers, was effective in achieving participation goals.
• Parental Empowerment: Parents reported increased feelings of competence and empowerment, which contributed to better outcomes for their children.

Practical Implications for Practitioners

Here are some actionable steps based on the study's findings:

1. Engage Parents in Goal Setting: Involve parents in setting specific, measurable goals for their child's participation. Use tools like the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to facilitate this process.
2. Focus on Environmental Modifications: Identify and modify environmental barriers that hinder participation. This can include physical changes, such as adapting home settings, and social changes, like engaging community resources.
3. Regular Monitoring and Support: Maintain regular communication with parents to monitor progress and provide ongoing support. Bi-weekly check-ins can help sustain motivation and track improvements.

Encouraging Further Research

While this study provides valuable insights, further research is needed to explore the long-term impact of parent involvement and environmental modifications on participation. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to this growing body of knowledge by conducting similar studies and sharing their findings.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: The impact of parent involvement on improving participation of children born preterm: The story in the baseline.