Overcoming tensions between family-centered care and fidelity within Early Intervention implementation research

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatric Health
• Family Studies

Background:

• Early Intervention (EI) systems are crucial for children aged 0-3 with developmental delays.
• EI is a primary access point for services, particularly for children at risk for autism.
• Current research often focuses on evidence-based practices but overlooks family-centered care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of family-centered care in EI research.
• To explore how family-centered care influences intervention delivery.
• To propose future research directions integrating family-centered care and intervention impact.

Main Methods:

• This commentary reviews existing research on EI and autism interventions.
• It analyzes the principles of family-centered care.
• It discusses theoretical implications for research design.

Main Results:

• Family-centered care, prioritizing family values and functioning, is central to EI.
• Ignoring family-centered care in research may limit the effectiveness of interventions.
• Integrating family-centered care can improve service delivery and outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Family-centered care warrants greater attention in EI research.
• Future research should evaluate the combined impact of family-centered care and specific interventions.
• This approach can lead to more effective and respectful services for families with young children.