Therapy Locations in Early Intervention: A Pilot Survey of Parents' and Therapists' Perspectives

Abstract

Parents and therapists in 7 of Washington's early intervention programs were surveyed about which therapy locations provide the most opportunities for child development and family support. Forty-three parents and 59 therapists working in more than one therapy location completed and returned the questionnaires. The majority of respondents perceived the center as providing the most opportunities for child development, whereas there was no substantial difference in ratings between the home and the center as providing the most opportunities for family support. Therapy in community locations was perceived as providing the least amount of opportunities for child development and for family support. Qualitative data highlighted the importance of parent choice and professional opinion when deciding therapy locations.

Keywords:

• Natural environments
• early intervention
• therapy location

Acknowledgments

The author thanks all of the parents and therapists who participated in this study. This work is dedicated in memory of Judith Moore, past executive director at Boyer Children's Clinic, Seattle, WA.