It’s Not Just Me. Parents’ Perceptions of a Multi-Disciplinary Therapy Group for Infants with Disabilities

Abstract

Aim: To explore parent perceptions of Baby Club, a therapeutic program involving physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy for infants with physical disabilities under 2 years and to better understand how the group addresses child and family needs. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews and a brief demographics questionnaire. Eight parents who attended a Baby Club program between 2017 and 2018 were recruited from ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. A content analysis approach was used with an inductive process to generate a coding scheme. Investigators developed overarching themes. Results: Three themes representing parents’ perceptions of Baby Club were identified: (1) Learning Together through Play and Fun; (2) I’m Not the Only One – Sharing and Support; (3) The Value of Therapist Time and Expertise. Conclusions: Baby Club provides parents and infants with opportunities to learn new skills through play, providing enriching social experiences and networking in a supportive therapeutic group environment.

Keywords:

• Group intervention
• infants
• occupational therapy
• parents
• physical disability
• physical therapy
• speech and language therapy

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Baby Club parents who shared their stories with us. This research was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for an MScPT advanced standing degree at the University of Toronto. The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Sunita Mathur and the ErinoakKids Baby Club therapists.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interests was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susan Bowman

Susan Bowman, MSc, PT is a physical therapist and Clinical Service Supervisor at ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Catherine Evans

Catherine Evans, PhD is a physical therapist and Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.