ABSTRACT
Introduction: Studies about the implementation of the Family Centered Practices approach in Early Childhood Intervention refer as outcomes that have an impact on the Quality of Family Life, on children's development, and also on family empowerment. In Ecuador, despite an absence of Early Childhood Intervention policies and programs, a university has developed training in Family Centered Practices for graduate students. A formative component is to implement a Routines Based Model with families of children with disabilities. The aim of the study is to analyze the impact on the Family Quality of Life, children's development and self-perceived competence of families after the Routines Based Model has been implemented in their natural environment. Method: Eight families from a rural area and their children with disabilities were included in the study. The Family Quality of Life Scale-Early Childhood Intervention and the Screening of the Battelle Developmental Inventory were applied at the beginning and end of the process. A qualitative interview established the family perspective upon the outcomes in their family and their children. Results: There is evidence of a significant increase in the families' Quality of Life and in the children's development at the end of the process. At the interview the families declared themselves more competent to understand and contribute to the development of their children. Discussion: The results provide knowledge of the implementation of a Routine Based Model in vulnerable contexts. Also contributes in the understanding of the family perspective on the outcomes and perceived benefits for the children and the family itself as a measure of quality of the intervention and training. Implications of the results for initial and ongoing training of early care professionals with vulnerable populations are discussed.
ABSTRACT
La prematuridad está asociada a riesgos en salud y neurodesarrollo, agravados por temores y desconocimiento de los padres para atender las necesidades del bebé. Por ello se requieren programas de atención temprana centrados en la familia y en entornos naturales, no disponibles en Ecuador. Este trabajo presenta la incidencia que puede presentar una intervención basada en rutinas (IBR) en la participación familiar para el desarrollo del lenguaje de sus bebés prematuros. Tres universidades internacionales y una organización no gubernamental que brinda servicio especializado, colaboraron en este estudio de casos que implementó durante 16 semanas la IBR con familias de bebés prematuros habitantes de sectores populares y usuarios de la ONG. Se recogieron datos cualicuantitativos pre- y postaplicación de la IBR. La ASQ-3 se aplicó para evaluar a los bebés y fortalecer el conocimiento de las familias sobre el desarrollo infantil. En una entrevista final, se analizan las percepciones de las madres sobre la incidencia de la intervención en participación familiar para el desarrollo del lenguaje de sus bebés. Los resultados evidencian cuantitativamente el avance de los bebés. Se destaca que las condiciones de desarrollo del bebé está mediada por las múltiples hospitalizaciones y poco conocimiento y temores de los padres sobre la condición de la prematuridad. Al finalizar, las familias manifiestan satisfacción con el proceso y reconocen el desarrollo del lenguaje de sus bebés como un resultado del incremento de la interacción familiar provocado por la IBR
Prematurity is associated with health and neurodevelopmental risks, aggravated by fears and lack of parental knowledge of their baby's needs. Therefore, early care programmes that focus on the family and natural environments, not available in Ecuador, are required. This paper presents the impact that a Routine Based Intervention (RBI) can have on family involvement in the development of their premature babies' language. Three international universities and a non-governmental organisation that provides specialist services collaborated in this case study, which implemented the IBR for 16 weeks with families of premature babies living in popular sectors and users of the NGO. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected pre- and post-implementation. The ASQ-3 was used to assess the babies and enhance the families' knowledge on child development. In a final interview, the mothers' perceptions of the impact of family involvement on their babies' language development were analysed. The results provide quantitative evidence of the babies' progress. It is noteworthy that the baby's developmental conditions were mediated by multiple hospitalisations and the parents' lack of knowledge about prematurity. At the end of the intervention, the families expressed their satisfaction with the process and recognised their babies' language development as a result of increased family interaction through the RBI
