Needs and expectations of caregivers raising children with developmental disabilities in early intervention programs

Addressing needs and expectations of caregivers raising children with developmental disabilities in early intervention programs is one of the conditions for the effectiveness of the support program. The study examines the needs and expectations of caregivers of children with developmental disabilities in early intervention programs at public preschool educational institutions. The sample included 63 caregivers aged 34.6 ± 5.8 years and their children aged 30.9 ± 6.1 months, who attended early intervention services for an average of 7.8 ± 4.4 months. The research methods included a socio-demographic questionnaire and the questionnaire “Study of the Needs and Expectations of Parents Attending Child and Family Support Programs” — an adapted version of the Family Needs Survey (1988). High average value of needs and expectations are reported in the areas of support from specialists in interaction with the child, receiving information about the child’s developmental characteristics and other services. Low average-level needs concerned short-term communication with a specialist, home-based services. Low average-level expectations included psychological support for the family, specialist’s mobility. It was also found that needs are associated with caregiver’s level of education, child’s age, duration of program’s participation, experience in other support programs, and that expectations are related to caregiver’s age, upbringing and the age of other children in the family, duration of program’s participation. Obtained results indicate the need to build an early intervention system and individualized programs based on the family-centered approach and focusing on the relationship between caregiver and infant or young child.

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