Family-centred practice: collaboration, competency and evidence

Author: ESPE-SHERWINDT, MARILYN

Source: Support for Learning, Volume 23, Number 3, August 2008 , pp. 136-143(8)

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Abstract:

In the 1990s, the developing field of early intervention with young children with disabilities and their families adopted family-centred practice as its philosophical foundation. Family-centred practice includes three key elements: (1) an emphasis on strengths, not deficits; (2) promoting family choice and control over desired resources; and (3) the development of a collaborative relationship between parents and professionals. During the last two decades, the field of early childhood disability has successfully defined the working principles of family-centred practice for practitioners. Although research has acknowledged that the paradigm shift to family-centred practice is neither simple nor easy, a substantive body of evidence demonstrates that (a) family-centred practice can be linked to a wide range of demonstrated benefits for both children and families, and (b) families are more satisfied and find family-centred practice to be more helpful than other models of practice.

Keywords: intervention; collaboration; family-centred practice

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9604.2008.00384.x

Publication date: 2008-08-01