Improving Communication Interactions Between Parents and Children with Developmental and Physical Disabilities

This chapter describes an empirically supported approach for collaborating with parents in the design and implementation of communication intervention for children with developmental and physical disabilities. The approach includes four phases: (a) identifying and verifying prelinguistic behaviours, (b) non-directive collaborative consultation with parents, (c) parent use of functional communication training procedures, and (d) feedback on implementation of intervention strategies. Each phase of the approach is described. This description may enable clinicians to collaborate more effectively with parents. Emerging evidence suggests that this approach may enhance the communicative interactions and social relations between parents and their child with developmental and physical disabilities.