Family Involvement in Assessment and Intervention: Perceptions of Professionals and Parents in Sweden

Abstract

This article describes perceptions of professionals and parents of the current and ideal state of family involvement in early intervention in Sweden. Both professionals and parents expressed significant discrepancies between current and ideal practices in four dimensions: parent involvement in decisions about child assessment, parent participation in assessment, parent participation in the team meeting and decision making, and the provision of family goals and services. Professionals showed preferences for a higher degree of family involvement. In identifying barriers, both professionals and parents most frequently mentioned system barriers. Causes for the discrepancies include the need for training and earlier inclusion of parents in the case management process.