Early Intervention and Education

Transforming Parent-Child Interaction in Family Routines

The study is a five-year National Institutes of Health funded research project designed to investigate a comprehensive approach to behavior support with families of children with developmental disabilities and problem behavior, within valued family routines. The study will be conducted at the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Education and The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Department of Pediatrics.

The purpose of this study is to examine the acceptability, effectiveness, and sustainability of a comprehensive approach to behavior support with families of children with developmental disabilities and problem behavior. The approach is based on best practice in positive behavior support with families. It emphasizes a collaborative process in which family members and a behavior consultant work together in equal partnership to improve the behavior of the child with a disability and the quality of life of the family as a whole.

The study will evaluate the extent to which positive behavior support plans:

• Improve the child behavior and parent-child interaction in home and community routines (e.g., dinner time, grocery shopping);

• Promote the child's successful participation in routines;

• Empower family members to successfully support the child;

• Enhance the quality of life for the child and family.

Project Director/Contact: Sharon Lohrmann
Staff: Lauren Elkinson