News and Knowledge

A 2010 journal article highlighted a research study that supports the underlying importance of manner and attitude by medical professionals. The study, “A Strength-Based Approach to Parent Education for Children With Autism” by Amanda Mossman Steiner, PhD, from the Yale Child Study Center, reminds professionals how important their demeanor can be while working with families.

Dr. Steiner studied three families of young children taking part in a parent education program. The parents received the same content instruction, but the instructor changed her approach to speaking about the child depending on the session. In the first approach, the instructor spoke positively about the child’s strengths. In the second, the instructor phrased comments about the child more negatively or focused on skill deficits. Study participants received both types of instruction.

After receiving strength-based instruction, parents made more positive statements regarding their children, showed more physical affection, and had a happier general affect. When the instructor made more negative comments focusing on deficits, parents made more negative statements, showed less physical affections, and had a less happy general affect.

While this study did not make any conclusions regarding children’s progress based on instructor approach, its implication is clear. Happier, more positive parents are more receptive to the advice of professionals and take a more positive approach to their children when dealt with in a factual but upbeat manner. Other studies have shown parents with a positive approach to children with disabilities are more involved and active with interventions.

For professionals, the take away from the study is to remember that how they speak about children to parents can have significant consequences. Therapists and teachers often talk about positive behavior supports and using positive behavior during therapy or school, but this mindset also needs to extend to parent education and discussing children with their parents.

Reference

Steiner, Amanda Mossman. (2010). A Strength-Based Approach to Parent Education for Children With Autism. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions. 13(3). 178-190.