Relationship-focused parenting intervention to support developmental outcomes for a young child with cerebral palsy: A practice application

Statement of context: 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.