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Block 2 Interventions

Unit 7 Training Parents of Children/Adolescents with Disabilities

Discuss advantage and disadvantaes of different training approaches used for parents of children/adolescents with disabilities.

There are several approaches to training parents of children/adolescents with disabilities, each with advantages and disadvantages.

• The Dynamic Model: This approach focuses on resolving internal parental conflicts and improving their acceptance of the child. The advantage is that it addresses the emotional dynamics impacting parental behaviour and can help with acceptance of the child's disability. However, a disadvantage is that it is less focused on teaching concrete skills, relying more on resolving feelings, which may not directly translate to practical management skills. It's also primarily a treatment rather than a training model.

• Early Intervention/Educational Models: This model offers support in community and educational settings, linking parental intervention with a child's training in natural settings. The advantage lies in its contextualised and holistic approach, integrating support within familiar environments and connecting learning for the parent and child. A disadvantage is that this model requires significant resources and coordination between different settings and professionals, and further development is needed to fully integrate it with other models.

• Behavioural Model: This model uses operant conditioning techniques, teaching parents to modify problem behaviours and teach new skills using positive reinforcement. Advantages include its clarity, the provision of specific techniques easily learnt, and its efficacy in addressing a wide range of problem behaviours and developing new skills. A disadvantage is that it might not fully address the emotional needs of parents and can potentially lead to feelings of inadequacy or guilt if not implemented sensitively. The success also depends on factors like consistent application by the parent and generalisation of trained behaviours to the home environment. It's also worth noting that the success of the behavioural approach depends on the parent’s ability to accurately assess and modify their child's behaviour and implement the methods effectively in natural environments.

• Combined Models: Many training programmes combine elements from different models. This advantage is that a more holistic approach addresses both emotional and practical needs. However, a disadvantage is the increased complexity of the approach and the requirement of highly trained professionals.

In summary, the most effective approach likely involves a combination of methods, tailored to meet the unique needs of the family and child, considering both emotional and practical aspects. The behavioural model offers easily learnt, practical techniques, while the dynamic model addresses emotional needs. The early intervention approach integrates this into familiar settings. However, successful implementation requires skilled and sensitive trainers who can navigate the complexities of working with diverse families and managing the various challenges during training.

What is the need for training parents of children/adolescents with disabilities?

1. The constant need for training at home over a long period, exceeding the capacity of professional services. 
2. The preventive value of equipping parents to manage behaviour and shape their child's development, acting as primary reinforcement sources.
3. Addressing the parents' own stress and need for information and support. The unit stresses the importance of empowering parents to assume active, varied and complex roles in managing and training their children with special needs, encompassing a wide spectrum of disabilities including mental retardation, autism, physical impairments, learning disabilities and ADHD.

What are the different models of parent training?

1. The Dynamic Model, focusing on resolving parental internal conflicts and dynamics to improve acceptance of the child; 
2. Early Intervention/Educational Models, offering support in community and educational settings and tailored to developmental needs and educational challenges; and the 
3. Behavioural Model, emphasizing the systematic application of operant conditioning techniques (e.g. positive reinforcement) to modify problem behaviours and teach adaptive skills. 

Many programs combine elements from multiple models.

What is the procedure for training parents of children/adolescents with disabilities?

1. Developmental screening and early identification to determine eligibility and the urgency of intervention. 
2. Detailed assessment of the child and family, encompassing child's history, target behaviours, intelligence, and family dynamics, including parental attitudes, motivation and family support systems. 
3. Individualised parent counselling to educate parents about the nature of the disability, manage parental feelings, build acceptance, and motivate them to participate in training. 
4. Intensive training in behaviour modification and educational skills, typically focusing on behavioural techniques to address problem behaviours, enhance adaptive behaviours and teach new skills; this phase often involves demonstrations, role-playing, and practical application. 
5. Group sessions providing peer support, sharing of strategies, and additional instruction. 
6. Follow-up to provide ongoing support and assess the effectiveness of the training in both the parent and the child. 

It is important to develop cost-effective, easily accessible, and adaptable models to ensure wide reach and sustainability.

How are parent training programmes evaluated?