Occupational therapy and early intervention: a family-centred approach

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that encourage or inhibit family-centred practice in the occupational therapy intervention process. A qualitative paradigm using grounded theory methodology was utilized to gather and analyse data. Participants included six families and four occupational therapists. Data analysis from the family interviews identified six categories: education, communication, relationship, parental roles, follow through, and scheduling. With further analysis two central themes of time and support were extracted from these categories. Analysis of the occupational therapists' interviews revealed six categories: education, communication, relationship, sibling/family participation, follow through, and empowerment. The central themes emerging from these categories are time and natural routine. The themes obtained from the families and occupational therapists were then compared and family individuality was identified as the core concept. Viewing families as a unique entity is necessary to assist occupational therapists in providing the most effective family-centred occupational therapy.