146
Posters Advancing Comprehensive Early Childhood Intervention
Session 1
FAMILIES Topic - Family Capacity Building
p1.13 I’m not Alone After All! The ELI of Barreiro Experience With Parents Support Group (PSG) Presenting Author: Alexandra Carvalho Affiliation: Associação NÓS / ELI Barreiro (Portugal) Co-Authors: Ana Chanino, Inês Machado, Nair Malheiros, Catarina Vaz
Within Portuguese Early Intervention framework, supporting parents is fundamental to effective practice. In this context, the Local Early Intervention Team of Barreiro (ELI Barreiro) created a Parent Support Group (PSG) to offer emotional, informational, and social support to caregivers—fostering empowerment, coping strategies, and the sharing of experiences in a safe and inclusive environment, intending to reduce family’s isolation and stress. Over 3 years, ELI Barreiro facilitated 3 distinct groups, one each year, involving a total of 30 participants: families of children with challenges in their development regarding social interaction, communication, behavior and sensory profile. To explore the impact of these experiences, questionnaires were administered. Families highly valued the opportunity to share experiences and challenges, connect with others facing similar parenting situations, and strengthen their informal support networks. p1.14 Important Role of NGOs in Early Childhood Intervention: Cross-Cultural Perspectives Presenting Author : Serra Acar (USA) This poster examines the important role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in early childhood intervention (ECI) for young children (birth to 6 years) with disabilities in South Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey. It highlights how NGOs serve as resource hubs and advocate for family empowerment. This poster provides an overview of ECI systems in these countries, exploring cultural and societal views on disability, service provision, eligibility criteria, delivery methods, and parental roles. The poster focuses on the empowering role of NGOs, emphasizing their capacity to support families navigating ECI systems. The poster concludes by discussing implications for policy, practice, and research, underscoring the importance of strengthening NGO involvement to enhance family-centered practices and address systemic challenges. The cross-cultural perspective sheds light on the unique contributions of NGOs in promoting equity and access in ECI services globally. p1.15 Intervention in Sensory Integration Challenges: UP ROUTINES Parental Training Program Presenting Author: Cátia Couço Lucas (Portugal) Affiliation: Research Center on Child Studies at the University of Minho Co-Authors: Leandro S. Almeida, Ana Paula da S. Pereira Sensory integration challenges significantly impact children’s participation and performance in daily routines, affecting overall family well-being. This project aims to develop the UP ROUTINES Parental Training Program, designed to enable and empower caregivers with practical, tailored strategies through a family-centered approach focused on routines and natural contexts. The program's development involved an extensive literature review and interviews with caregivers of children with sensory vulnerabilities, complemented by consultations with healthcare professionals, including pediatricians and therapists. The collected data informed the structure of the program, which comprises theoretical modules on sensory processing, practical strategies to adapt routines and environments, and opportunities for caregivers to share experiences. This preventative program aims to strengthen caregivers’ competencies and promote child development, making it an innovative tool for supporting families in early childhood intervention contexts. p1.16 Parents’ Support in Early Childhood Intervention Affiliation: University of Massachusetts, Boston Co-Authors: Ching-I Chen, Veronica Y. Kang The support of parents of children with disabilities in Ukraine is important because in times of war, families raising children with disabilities face additional challenges, such as instability, limited access to resources, and safety threats. Early intervention services are essential to families, especially in times of crisis, helping to adapt to new life conditions and providing necessary support. The organization of mutual support groups, particularly through the "peer-to-peer" approach, allows parents to exchange experiences and receive emotional support. According to the Bronfenbrenner’ theory, considering the interaction of different levels of the environment (macrosystem, ecosystem, mesosystem) helps to understand the complexity of the situation parents of children with disabilities find themselves in. The importance of informational support for parents to consciously create conditions when their emotional state is in the "window of tolerance" - the optimal state for perceiving and adapting to stress, which allows them to use support and services effectively. Presenting Author: Valeriia Ilnytska (Ukraine) Affiliation: Rehab Center Dzherelo, Lviv, Ukraine Co-Author: Oxana Noha
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