Service Providers' Perspectives on Using the 'F-Words in Childhood Disability': An International Survey

Disseminating the F-Words for Child Development to Parents of Children With Developmental Disabilities in Iran: A Qualitative Pilot Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

Attitudes toward childhood disability have historically focused on biomedical efforts on 'fixing'. The introduction of WHO's ICF framework for health and Canadian researchers' 'F-words' (functioning, fitness, fun, friends, family and future) have significantly changed the field. To explore whether the F-words ideas influenced parents' perspectives on their child's abilities and rehabilitation goals, this qualitative pilot study introduced the F-words to Iranian parents with a child with a developmental disability.

METHODS

This study was conducted in Tabriz, Iran, in 2023, using Iranian educational F-words materials built on ideas available on the CanChild F-words Knowledge Hub. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with five mothers of children <5 years old with a developmental disability before and after attending an 'F-words Awareness Session' and analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

In the preinterviews, six themes (and 20 subthemes) were identified: (i) routines (5); (ii) challenges (4); (iii) parental concerns (3); (iv) child's needs and priorities (3); (v) the role of parents in satisfying needs and challenges (2); and (vi) expectations of rehabilitation (3). In the postinterview, the same six themes and four additional subthemes emerged.

CONCLUSION

Findings from the pilot study showed that the intervention had an impact on the attitudes and behaviours of participants. Specifically, teaching about the F-words reduced parents' emphasis on the concept of 'normality'. Families' positive response to the 'F-words Awareness Session' indicates their openness to incorporating this approach into their daily lives. These findings highlight the potential benefits of utilizing the F-words in rehabilitation in Iran. Studies like these can serve as a foundation for developing effective strategies for integrating the F-words into existing rehabilitation practices in Iran.

Practices of Physical Therapists Who Assist People With Cerebral Palsy in Brazil: A National Survey

PURPOSE

To describe the practices of pediatric physical therapists (PTs) working with children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) in Brazil.

METHODS

PTs working with children and adolescents with CP were invited to participate via social media and email campaigns to complete an online survey containing 46 questions.

RESULTS

In total, 373 PTs participated. Most PTs reported searching in scientific databases (96.8%) and on social media (71%). The main barrier to information reported was limited access to full-text articles (44%). Among the PTs, 58.4% and 84% reported using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and family centered practice models, respectively. Regarding tools and interventions, there was little focus on the domains of contextual factors and participation.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey points to some important advances. However, strategies are still needed to promote knowledge translation and evidence-based practices among pediatric PTs in Brazil.

Percepções dos pais sobre uma intervenção de esportes modificados para crianças com paralisia cerebral

O Sports Stars Brasil tem como objetivo promover a participação em atividades de lazer. O Sports Stars foi uma intervenção agradável, de curto prazo, com dosagem pequena, focada na participação. Os pais dos participantes do Sports Stars Brasil perceberam benefícios em todas as "minhas palavras favoritas". Esta intervenção de esportes modificados foi capaz de integrar todas as "minhas palavras favoritas".

Parents' perceptions of a modified sports intervention for children with cerebral palsy

AIM

To explore the perceptions of parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) participating in a modified sports intervention, Sports Stars Brazil.

METHOD

Parents of children with CP (n = 15, 6-12 years old, nine males, six females), classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I and II, who participated in the Sports Stars Brazil intervention, were recruited for this descriptive qualitative study. Children received the 8-week (1 hour per week) modified sports intervention. After the intervention, parents participated in a focus group. The F-word (fitness, family, fun, functioning, friends, and future) interpretation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health was used to guide the discussion. Participants were invited to report their experience of participating in the intervention using the F-words for a childhood disability model. Transcripts were coded using content analysis.

RESULTS

Parents reported positive experiences of the Sports Stars Brazil intervention, including a decrease in sedentarism (fitness), improvement of motor skills (functioning), greater connection between child and family (family), better socialization (friends), increased participation in pleasurable activities (fun), and awareness of the importance of physical activity (future). All positive experiences were interconnected.

INTERPRETATION

This study presents the ability of the Sports Stars Brazil intervention to integrate all aspects of functioning and supports its role as an engaging and promising intervention option for ambulant children with CP.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

The parents of children participating in Sports Stars Brazil perceived benefits across all F-words. This modified sports intervention integrated all F-words into one concept.

Family-centred service in paediatric acquired brain injury rehabilitation: Bridging the gaps

Background

Children and adolescents who sustain an acquired brain injury (ABI) can experience acute and ongoing difficulties in a range of cognitive and functional domains, and their families often experience significant life changes and challenges. Family-centred service is therefore considered best practice in paediatric ABI rehabilitation. Despite widespread acceptance of family-centred service in this context, recent literature indicates that family needs are often unrecognised and unmet following paediatric ABI. Although family-centred service was introduced in the field of developmental disability over five decades ago, there remains a lack of clarity about how this approach is implemented in practice. Additionally, limited literature has discussed the implementation of family-centred service in paediatric ABI rehabilitation despite key differences between ABI and developmental disability, including nature and timing of onset, rehabilitation foci, and impacts on families.

Aims

In this review, we aim to: (i) outline common sequelae of paediatric ABI with a focus on family outcomes; (ii) summarise paediatric rehabilitation and highlight opportunities for family support and involvement; (iii) discuss and synthesise literature across paediatric ABI rehabilitation and family-centred service to highlight gaps in knowledge and practice; and (v) identify clinical implications and future research directions.

Conclusions

There is a clear need for greater clarity and consensus regarding the implementation of family-centred service in paediatric ABI rehabilitation. This review highlights the importance of providing professional development opportunities for clinicians to increase competency in practising in a family-centred manner, and opportunities to actively involve, empower and support families within rehabilitation. This review also emphasises the importance of services implementing relevant supports to address family needs where possible and developing clear referral pathways so that families can access further support elsewhere when needed.

Exploring 10 years of dissemination of the F-words for Child Development: A multifaceted case study

BACKGROUND

There is growing interest in exploring how to move research findings into practice. Since 2014, a team of families and researchers has been working to promote and study the dissemination of the "F-words for Child Development" (Function, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends, and Future). This case study describes our dissemination strategies and uses the Diffusion of Innovation theory to understand the factors contributing to the uptake of the F-words-a function-promoting, strengths-based, and family-centred innovation in child health and development.

METHODS

Between November 2011 and November 2021, we collected data from multiple sources: our dissemination strategies, including affiliated documents/artefacts (e.g., videos and presentations) and evaluation data (e.g., surveys and Google/video analytics). We used a two-step analysis: (1) a chronological time series to describe the processes involved along with indicators of dissemination over time (e.g., increase knowledge and awareness); and (2) Diffusion of Innovation theory to explore the factors that contributed to the uptake of the F-words.

RESULTS

Multifaceted dissemination strategies were essential to raise awareness and increase families' and service providers' knowledge of the F-words. These included three primary strategies: (i) development and distribution of educational materials; (ii) presentations at educational meetings; and (iii) educational outreach visits. Additional strategies, such as the use of mass media, collaboration with early adopters/champions, and the involvement of family members further supported dissemination efforts. Diffusion of Innovation factors (innovation characteristics, time, social systems, and communication channels) all contributed to the uptake of this innovation.

CONCLUSIONS

Purposeful planned dissemination practice, to increase knowledge and awareness of an innovation, is an important step in the knowledge translation process. Over a period of 10 years, through the use of multiple dissemination strategies conducted in partnership with families and service providers, the F-words have spread globally. Diffusion of Innovation theory has served to help understand how and why the F-words are being shared and adopted around the world.

Scientific productions on the F-Words in the field of child rehabilitation: an integrative review

Abstract Introduction The F-Words have brought a new approach to the concepts of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), indicating important aspects in the influence of the participation of children with disabilities. Objective The main objective of the words (Fitness, Fun, Friends, Family, Function, Future) is to provide a social view as opposed to the biomedical model, aiming at the participation of children with disabilities as the main form of quality of life and health. As this is a relatively new approach, this study aimed to map the scientific production of F-Words in the field of child and adolescent rehabilitation. Method To this end, an integrative literature review was carried out. Data were collected by two independent researchers through a search at the Periódicos Capes and Google Scholar platforms using the descriptor F-Words for English, Minhas Palavras Favoritas (Portuguese), and Mis Palabras Favoritas (Spanish). The selected articles (N=11) were those that contained the term in the title, keywords, or abstract and that were available in full. Results The results shown in this study provided an understanding of the scientific production of the F-Words theme at the national and international level and a description of the typology of prevalently theoretical studies and validation studies. Scientific publications on the theme were concentrated in Canada. It was observed that the term F-Words, rather than its translation into Brazilian Portuguese (Minhas Palavras favoritas), is used to refer to the concept in question. Conclusion In conclusion, the concept is still new and its level of dissemination has increased gradually over the years, which may be the reason for the low scientific production in countries other than those of its creators.

Produções científicas sobre as F-Words no campo da reabilitação de crianças: revisão integrativa

Resumo Introdução As F-Words trazem nova abordagem para os conceitos da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde (CIF), indicando aspectos importantes na influência da participação da criança com deficiência. O objetivo principal das palavras (Fitness, Fun, Friends, Family, Function, Future) é proporcionar uma visão de caráter social em contraposição ao modelo biomédico. Objetivo Mapear a produções científicas sobre as F-Words no campo da reabilitação de crianças e adolescentes. Método Realizou-se uma revisão integrativa da literatura. Os dados foram coletados por meio de busca nas plataformas Periódicos Capes e Google Scholar utilizando-se os descritores F-Words para a língua inglesa, Minhas Palavras Favoritas (português) e Mis Palabras Favoritas (espanhol). Os artigos selecionados (N=11) foram aqueles que continham o termo no título, palavras-chaves ou resumo e que estavam disponíveis na íntegra. Resultados Os resultados demonstrados no presente estudo possibilitaram compreender a produção científica da temática das F-Words nos âmbitos nacional e estrangeiro e descrever a tipologia dos estudos, que foram prevalentemente teóricos e de validação. Constatou-se a concentração de publicações científicas no Canadá. Observou-se que o termo F-Words, e não a sua tradução para o português do Brasil (Minhas Palavras Favoritas), é utilizado para se referir ao conceito em questão. Conclusão Conclui-se que o conceito ainda é novo e que seu nível de divulgação tem aumentado gradualmente ao longo dos anos, o que pode ser o motivo da baixa produção científica em países fora do núcleo de pesquisa de seus criadores.

Parenting a Child with a Neurodevelopmental Disorder

Purpose of Review

Traditional thinking and focus in ‘childhood disability’ have been on the child with the impairment — with the imperative to make the right diagnosis and find the right treatments. The implicit if not direct expectation was that interventions should aim to ‘fix’ the problems. Professionals have led the processes of investigation and management planning, with parents expected to ‘comply’ with professionals’ recommendations. Much less attention has been paid to parents’ perspectives or their wellbeing.

Recent Findings

In the past two decades, we have seen a sea change in our conceptualizations of childhood disability. The WHO’s framework for health (the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (aka ICF)) and CanChild’s ‘F-words for Child Development’ inform modern thinking and action. We now recognize the family as the unit of interest, with parents’ voices an essential element of all aspects of management. The goals of intervention are built around the F-words ideas of function, family, fun, friendships, fitness and future.

Summary

There has been world-wide uptake of the F-words concepts, with increasing evidence of the impact of these ideas on parents and professionals alike. There are important implications of these developments on the structure, processes and content of services for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, their families and the services designed to support them.