The effectiveness of early intervention for children with developmental disabilities is thought to be related to parental sensitivity and responsiveness. A brief relationship-focused occupational therapy intervention for Shelly, a young girl with cerebral palsy, and her mother, Jane, is described.
Critical reflection on practice
The distress of both mother and child at presentation compromised the ability of therapists to provide developmentally orientated interventions. Focusing on parent–child interactions enabled Shelly to make both emotional and physical gains, and facilitated ongoing interventions.
Implications for practice
Observations in this practice application demonstrate the need for further research into parenting interventions and developmental outcomes for children with cerebral palsy.
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