A Solution-Focused Coaching Intervention with Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy to Achieve Participation-Oriented Goals

Abstract

Background: The ultimate goal of therapeutic intervention is meaningful participation in one’s world. For people with Cerebral Palsy (CP), limitations can often become a focus of care.

Aim: Our purpose was to investigate the impact of a Solution-Focused Coaching intervention designed for pediatric rehabilitation (SFC-peds) on the attainment of participation goals for children/youth with CP.

Method: Twelve participants participated in a repeated measures quantitative study and in qualitative interviews. Children and youth (ages 6-19) and their families participated in three to five coaching sessions, including an initial baseline goal setting session, with one additional follow-up session as well as the qualitative interviews. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and Goal Attainment Scaling were incorporated into initial coaching sessions and then re-administered by a blind assessor within one month post-intervention. Qualitative interviews were conducted at this time.

Results: Statistically significant improvements were found in goal performance, satisfaction, and attainment. Interview data included consideration of both the content of the intervention (what the practitioner is doing) and the unique SFC-peds process (how the client feels about the intervention).

Conclusions: SFC-peds may present an effective approach for working with children/youth with CP to achieve self-selected participation-oriented goals in a relatively short time-period.

Keywords:

• Cerebral palsy
• coaching
• multiple methods
• pediatric rehabilitation
• solution focused

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This article was funded by Canadian Foundation of Occupational Therapy.

Notes on contributors

Heidi Schwellnus

Heidi Schwellnus is an occupational therapist with over 20 years of clinical and research experience working with children with disabilities. She completed her PhD in 2011 and a post doc in 2015 both affiliated with Bloorview Research Institute. She is a Collaborative Practice Leader at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital and a Clinical Team Investigator with Bloorview Research Institute. Heidi's research interest involve investigating a strengths based, solution focused practice process as a method of increasing engagement in rehabilitation, teaching and mentoring.

Gillian King

Gillian King is a Distinguished Senior Scientist (Bloorview Research Institute), Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy (University of Toronto), and Canada Research Chair in Optimal Care for Children with Disabilities (Tier 1). Her research interests include the participation of children with disabilities, youth transitions, client and parent wellness, and client engagement. Her current research focuses on developing measures of engagement in therapy; the key elements and processes underlying the effectiveness of youth transition programs; mental health and the participation of children and youth with disabilities; and the role of resiliency in rehabilitation service delivery.

Patricia Baldwin

Patricia Baldwin is certified as a Solution-Focused Coach and offers training and coaching for Canadian health care and social service providers and managers in the use of Solution-Focused Coaching. In her previous career as an occupational therapist and manager, Patricia gained extensive experience in hospital and community-based health care related to mental health services and to pediatric rehabilitation. She is involved in research related to SFC in pediatric rehabilitation and has published articles related to solution-focused coaching, adolescent transitions, spirituality, and quality of life.

Sarah Keenan

Sarah Keenan is the Organization Development and Learning Consultant at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Sarah collaborates with management and decision makers to identify, implement, and support effective organization development interventions. At the time of this study, Sarah worked as a life skills coach, solution-focused coach, and clinical team investigator in the Bloorview Research Institute. Sarah's research interests include solution-focused coaching, youth transitions, and friendship-based interventions for youth with disabilities.

Laura R. Hartman

Laura R. Hartman is a pediatric researcher and occupational therapist with a focus on occupational engagement, transitions, resiliency, and children's ways of knowing. She has a PhD in occupational science and a current clinical practice focusing on transitions to adulthood for children who identify as having disabilities.