Trauma-informed care is important across multiple systems of care, including Part C early intervention (EI). To date, there is little guidance that focuses on implementing trauma-informed care in EI. This conceptual paper draws on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (2023) framework of trauma-informed care to explain how their assumptions and principles of trauma-informed care apply to EI. First, the assumptions of trauma-informed care are described in the context of EI. Then, each of the six principles of trauma-informed care are discussed. For each principle, implications for EI providers and the EI system are provided to illustrate the importance of trauma-informed care at the practice and policy levels. Finally, suggestions for future researchers are provided to help advance the field forward in prioritizing trauma-informed care.
Research studies have examined therapists’ experiences with best practice models in early intervention (EI), including coaching; however, little has been done to examine families’ perceptions and experiences regarding the coaching model used in EI. This study aimed to understand the perceptions of families who received EI services for their young children based on the coaching model of service delivery. This was achieved through qualitative methods, specifically via thematic analysis of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with seven families in the state of New York. Findings of three themes show a lack of understanding among families of best practices in EI. Providers must ensure they provide best practice in EI and address the need to educate themselves and families on this.
Photo-elicitation is a visual methodology used in qualitative research in which images serve as a prompt for discussion. One way to do photo-elicitation is through auto-photography elicitation, where participants provide their own photos that are pertinent to the research study, which are then used to elicit additional information during interviews. The purpose of this paper is to orient researchers to the use of auto-photography elicitation in early intervention/early childhood special education research (EI/ECSE). First, we highlight the method’s strengths related to EI/ECSE. Then, we discuss ethical implications for researchers to consider when using auto-photography elicitation related to power and positionality and privacy and consent. Finally, we discuss the stages of an auto-photography elicitation research study using examples from four EI/ECSE research studies.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant challenges to families, impacting both parenting and child well-being. This study examines the trajectories of parental concerns about child development during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the impact of pandemic-related stressors, including child social isolation, family economic hardship, and caregiver distress. Seventy-two caregivers (84.7% mothers) of children aged 11–36 months participated. Data were collected during lockdown (T1, 2021), 1 year later (T2, 2022), and 2 years later (T3, 2023). Stressors were assessed at T1, and parental concerns were measured at all time points through open-ended responses. At T1 and T2, concerns focused on child socialization, shifting to separation anxiety at T3. Parents of socially isolated children reported elevated concerns at both T1 and T2, which were also associated with trajectories of persistent worries. Additionally, parents of younger children exhibited more persistent concerns in the postpandemic period. The findings highlight the potential enduring impact of the pandemic on parental concerns. Family-centered interventions and enhanced access to developmental resources are crucial for supporting caregivers in managing the long-term impacts of the pandemic.
Speech-language pathologists play an important role in neonatal teams by supporting small vulnerable neonate's developmental needs through collaborative care, parent education, early intervention, and discharge planning. Parents' needs of speech-language pathology services in private sector units may inform systemic change in neonatal care. This study explored parents' experiences and needs regarding such support during and after Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission. An online survey was completed by 42 parents whose infants had been admitted to private sector Neonatal Intensive Care Units, most born moderate-severe preterm (28–33 weeks). Although most parents felt welcome and involved in care, many reported emotional distress, limited bonding opportunities, and inadequate support for feeding and communication interaction. A considerable proportion described stressful feeding experiences and minimal referral to speech-language pathologists. Information on parent-infant communication and developmental milestones was also insufficient. Findings highlight the need for stronger integration of speech-language pathology services within private Neonatal Intensive Care Units and improved continuity of care postdischarge to support parent-infant interaction, feeding, and developmental outcomes. Advocacy for systemic change and greater speech-language pathology involvement is important to optimize care for small vulnerable newborns and their families in South Africa's private health care sector.
