Community Participation Needs of Families With Children With Behavioral Disorders: A Systems of Care Approach

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to convey findings regarding the community participation needs of families who have children with behavioral disorders. The changing focus of community-based service provision to the systems of care approach for children with mental health needs requires family input to identify and better address their needs. This study identified characteristics of community participation in families of children with mental health needs through a survey, using mixed methods design and purposeful sampling. Evolved themes supported challenges for policymakers to make changes in professional, school, and community supports. Occupational therapists have a strong skill set to offer these families and must work collaboratively with family organizations, provide support for successful engagement in desired social activities, and build adaptive behaviors in children with mental health needs.

KEYWORDS:

• mental health
• pediatrics
• systems of care

Notes

^a Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/Attention deficit disorder

^b Includes post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and selective mutism;

^c Includes conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, aggression, drug/alcohol

^d Includes borderline intellectual functioning;

^e Includes spina bifida, hydrocephalus, XYY syndrome.

^a Current

^b Desired

^c Video/electronic games, television, computer, internet, reading

^d Play outside, gardening, arts/crafts, toys, pets

^e Meals, cards, games

^f Picnics, lakes/parks, museums, library, zoo, festivals, cultural events

^g Eating out, mall/shopping, exercising outside, vacations, trips, gymnastics, hiking/fishing/camping

^h Team sports, cheerleading, scouting, church, visiting friends, clubs.

Note. The body of the table identifies percentages of responses in each geographic area.

^a Formal family partners;

^b Other family advocates.

Note. The body of the table identifies percentages of responses in each geographic area.

^a In public;

^b Includes time spent doing “other.”