What do speech–language pathologists do to support families’ active involvement in early intervention? Exploring moment-to-moment interactions in sessions

Abstract

Purpose

There is growing emphasis on the importance of involving families in all aspects of the early speech–language pathology intervention process, however, both speech–language pathologists (SLPs) and families have reported that this can be challenging. To better understand how SLPs work together with families in intervention, this study aimed to (a) explore what SLPs do to support families to be actively involved in intervention, both inside and outside sessions, and (b) explore the perspectives of families regarding how SLPs supported their active involvement.

Method

Video-reflexive ethnography (VRE) was used to explore engagement with 21 matched SLP-family dyads in early intervention services. Up to three intervention appointments for each participating family were video recorded. Short video segments were selected and played to participants in individual semi-structured interviews where participants were invited to reflect on the interactions captured (i.e. “video-reflexive sessions”). Interview data were analysed using template analysis.

Result

Participants reported that SLPs supported families to be actively involved in sessions by (1) planning to involve families; (2) setting expectations; (3) modelling and teaching strategies; (4) inviting families to “have a go”; (5) providing feedback; and (6) problem solving together. Participants also reported that families were supported to be involved outside sessions when SLPs: (1) got them to practice in sessions; (2) made home practice achievable and provided resources; (3) asked about home practice; (4) linked home practice to progress; and (5) helped other family members get involved.

Conclusion

The results of this study provide an explicit understanding of how SLPs can support families to take an active role in early intervention, and support the importance of a reflective and individualised approach to supporting engagement.

Keywords:

• early intervention
• engagement
• speech–language pathology
• family-centred care

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the SLPs and families who participated in this study for sharing their experiences of working together in early intervention. The research for this article was conducted as part of the first author’s doctoral dissertation, which was funded by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declaration of interest.

Supplemental material

Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2022.2092211

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship.