In 2023, the Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education, or CADRE for short, published an important resource entitled “Navigating Intra-Family Conflict: A Resource for Early Intervention Service Professionals.” It begins with two case examples that may seem familiar to you: a set of 22-month-old fraternal twins with generalized developmental delay and a 13-month-old with Down syndrome. Both families are experiencing volatile intra-family conflict. The article spells out a number of important things to accomplish within your relationship with the family, such as:
1. Clearly defining your role;
2. Setting clear boundaries;
3. Taking a coaching approach;
4. De-escalating high emotions;
5. Keeping safety in mind; and
6. Staying future focused.
The authors provide numerous examples of what to say in order to accomplish these tasks. They go on to suggest types of professional development to pursue and offer links to additional resources. This publication is chock-full of great ideas. Download a copy for future reference.
The ICC-Recommended Early Start Personnel Manual (ESPM) describes core knowledge and role-specific competencies needed for early intervention service provision, incorporating current research and evidence in the field of early intervention. Click here to access the ESPM. Scroll down to find the ESPM entry.
This resource is related to the following ESPM knowledge-level competencies:
- Individualized Family Service Plan Development and Review (IFSP-i):
- IFSP-i8 (EIS): Understands the parallel process and how coaching as an intervention strategy promotes parent confidence and competence in meeting the child’s needs.
- IFSP-i9 (EIS): Knows models and approaches to home visiting and in-home interaction strategies.