Poster #106 - Treatment outcomes of a routine-based approach for children with developmental delay: a preliminary study.

• In Event: Poster Session 01

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Engaging families of children with developmental difficulties is crucial in facilitating positive outcomes in early intervention programs (EIP) (Hackworth, 2018). Early interventionists should adopt a systematic method to gather information to understand families’ needs and priorities to guide intervention planning (McWilliam, Casey & Sims, 2009). This method allows families to place intervention strategies within their children's routines, and contexts; children would also be given contextually relevant learning opportunities that help them learn and develop (Division for Early Childhood, 2014).

The Routines-Based Interview (RBI) has shown promising evidence to provide interventionists with a structure in understanding families’ needs and child’s participation in home activities (Hughes-Schole, Gavidia-Payne, Davis & Mahar, 2019).

In Singapore, young children who are waiting for entry to EIP typically receive interim services. These services support families prior to their transition to EIP. Occupational Therapists (OT) have adapted the RBI to a routine-based approach (RBA) that involves the use of a routine form (for parents to share about their current home routine), a shortened parent interview (to clarify items on the routine form), and the inclusion of therapy goals into existing home routines.

AIM
This research examines the use of the adapted RBA to improve home program implementation and the impact on family outcomes in clinic-based occupational therapy.

METHODS
Thirteen children with developmental delay, aged two to six years, received an average of five Occupational Therapy (OT) sessions over two months. Through convenience sampling, seven families were assigned to receive RBA, and six families had the usual OT services. Parents completed the Family Outcomes Survey (FOS; Bailey et al., 2006) and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM; Law et al., 1991) at the first and last intervention sessions. Results were analyzed using t-test and Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS
Parents of the RBA group reported significant changes in their perception of the effectiveness of early intervention, particularly in areas of “knowing (their) rights and advocating for (their) child, and “helping (their) child develop and learn”) on the FOS (T=21, p<0.028). There was greater improvement in COPM performance (U = 4.5, p = 0.014) and satisfaction (U = 2.0, p = 0.005) from pre- to post-intervention for the RBA than the non-RBA group.

CONCLUSION
RBA appeared to be useful in guiding parents to reflect on their child’s participation across home routines and facilitate family engagement to build rapport, set relevant goals and support home intervention. By embedding intervention within home routines, this adapted RBA demonstrates potential in empowering parents to support their child and in improving family outcomes.

Authors

• Tse Ling Mok

• Cindy Teow, University of Southern California
  Presenting Author