A Pilot Investigation of a Parenting Intervention for Parents and Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: Research is only beginning to address the extent to which evidence-based parenting programmes have utility and merit within populations of children and families with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a parent-focused intervention for families who have a child with a NDD and investigate whether this type of intervention could improve parental self-efficacy; child behaviour, and child quality of life (QoL). Design/methodology/approach: In total five families caring for a child with a NDD participated in an evidenced-based parenting programme. A repeated measures design was employed to measure parental self-efficacy levels, child behaviour and child QoL. Glass’s delta was used to measure effect sizes. Findings: Clinically significant improvements from pre to post-intervention were noted in seven of the eight parenting domains and seven of the ten child behaviour domains assessed, with medium to large effect sizes reported. Research limitations/implications: It was anticipated that children would benefit indirectly through the intervention, however this was not supported. Practical implications: This research adds to the evidence base on the potential for parent-focused interventions within NDD. Originality/value: These findings support the potential effectiveness of parenting programmes in NDD populations.