Comparison of Caregiver Engagement in Telepractice and In-person Family-Centered Early Intervention. (15th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McCarthy, Melissa; Leigh, Greg; Arthur-Kelly, Michael
• Is Part Of: Journal of deaf studies and deaf education. Volume 25:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2019-11-15
• Subjects: Deafness -- Periodicals; Deaf -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 371.912
• DOI: 10.1093/deafed/enz037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1081-4159

Abstract

Abstract: Telepractice—specifically, the use of high-speed internet and interactive videoconferencing technology to deliver real-time audio and video communications between the family and the practitioner—is gaining acceptance as an alternative means of providing family-centered early intervention to families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. This study examined whether caregivers' reported perceptions of self-efficacy and involvement differed when early intervention was delivered in-person and through telepractice. The Scale of Parental Involvement and Self-Efficacy (SPISE) was used to evaluate perceptions of two groups of caregivers: one that received early intervention in-person ( n = 100) and a group who received services through telepractice ( n = 41). Results indicated that mode of delivery of services was not related to caregivers' perceptions of their self-efficacy or involvement. Further analysis revealed that although certain caregiver or child characteristics did influence some aspects of caregivers' beliefs about their self-efficacy or involvement, the effect of those variables was similar across both modes of delivery.