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This study investigates parents’ perceptions of bilingual education in a metropolitan independent school district and examines how parents’ perceptions vary depending on their length of stay in the U.S., educational and income levels. Nine-hundred fifty nine parents’ survey responses were collected, whose children participate in bilingual programs. The Rasch analyses found that parents generally believe schools respect all students and provide safe environments. However, the parents expressed less agreement with statements indicating that schools and teachers offer challenging instruction. Overall, there is a tendency for parents to hold more positive perceptions of schools and teachers, the longer they stay in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many physical education teachers and teachers of students with visual impairments have difficulty including children with visual impairment and additional disabilities. The lack of appropriate opportunities by teachers places this burden on parents to be more involved in their child's physical education programming. Parents can be key stakeholders in helping their children know the solutions to the barriers to involvement in physical activity and sports. As a result of parental involvement in their child's physical education, the child's motor competence may improve. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of parents with children with visual impairments and additional disabilities regarding their child's physical education. A survey was developed and validated by experts in the field. The analyses of this mixed methods survey included frequency analyses of the quantitative data and themes from the open-ended questions. Seventy-four parents/guardians with children with visual impairment including moderate to severe disabilities participated. Parental responses indicated that most children were provided physical education services; however, only 50% are satisfied with their child's physical education experiences. While most parents indicated they were actively involved with their child's programming, many barriers and support needs indicated a dire need for more training to support both parents and educators of youth with visual impairments and additional disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study aimed to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the psychological well-being of parents of pediatric oncology patients two years after the pandemic started. The authors' objective was to make a detailed comparison between the data collected in the current study and the data gathered in the previous research with the aim of observing any changes, whether for better or worse, at the psychological level in the caregivers of the patients in question. This research could be of great use for monitoring the psychological health of the sample and for being able to intervene promptly in the event of the worsening of the reported symptoms. Background: Family members dealing with the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis are now facing even greater vulnerability due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside the already overwhelming trauma, they must also bear the distressing burden of the infection risks. The purpose of this study was to examine and explore the effects in parents of pediatric cancer patients two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to compare these data with the previous data. Methods: We conducted a single-center prospective observational study, enrolling 75 parents of 42 pediatric oncology patients. Four questionnaires (IES-R; PSS; STAI-Y and PedsQL) were given to the parents 2 years after the first evaluation. Results: The bivariate matrix of correlation found a strong significant positive correlation between IES-R and PSS scores (r = 0.526, p < 0.001) as in T1. Stress symptoms (t = 0.00, p < 0.001) and levels of anxiety (trait) (t = 0.32, p < 0.001) remained unchanged; anxiety state levels appeared to have increased (t = 0.425, p < 0.001); there was a significant decrease in the PedsQL tot (t = 5.25, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the levels of stress and anxiety of parents and the quality of life of patients, also correlating with the traumatic impact of the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infant and toddler sleep affects family functioning and maternal mental health and well-being. However, little is known about parental perceptions regarding child daytime sleep. The current study aimed to determine maternal beliefs and cognitions of child naps, assessing how naps impact perceived child and maternal functioning. Mothers of 465 infants and toddlers (4–36mos; M = 18.5mos) in the United States completed an online questionnaire addressing those aims, including maternal perception of naps after napping cessation. Most mothers agreed that naps were important (98%). Over two-thirds wanted to change something about their child's naps and one-quarter reported that naps were problematic. About half wished their child fell asleep faster/easier for naps, and one-third wished they napped longer. Few reported that child naps were more trouble than they were worth (4%). Most mothers believed that when their child naps well their child is in a better mood (97%), more easy-going (96%), has fewer tantrums (89%), and listens better (84%, toddlers). Finally, most mothers believed that their child's naps were important for their own day (94%), improved their own mood (87%) made them feel calmer (90%), and enabled them to nap (51%), do more in the house (92%), complete work (87%), spend time with others (78%), and spend time doing things for themselves (80%). Conclusion: Considering most mothers believed their child's naps were important for their child and themselves, yet many wanted to change something about those naps and/or thought naps were problematic, intervention development is warranted focusing on daytime sleep issues to improve both child and family functioning. What is Known: • Although maternal perceptions of overnight sleep in young children has been well studied, little is known about beliefs and cognitions regarding daytime sleep. What is New: • Mothers of infants and toddlers believe naps are beneficial for their child and are important for child mood, behavior, and sleep. • Mothers find child naps valuable for themselves, allowing time for other activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated parent reports of use of special education and support services, use of evidence-based practices (EBPs), use of past and current complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, non-use of CAM treatments, willingness, and unwillingness to use CAM treatments, reasons for use and non-use of CAM treatments, and perceptions of EBPs and CAM treatments in their children's functioning. We collected data from a total of 166 parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through a web-based survey. 94% of the parents reported lifetime use of at least one CAM treatment. Parents weighed on a wide variety of factors in decision-making. CAM treatments use was positively associated with parental educational level, length of time since ASD diagnosis, and child's ASD severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way children commute to and from school has been described in the literature as passive or active commuting. Active commuting among children in England is low, with the most recent evidence available indicating that between 2% and 8% of children cycle to school. Encouraging active commuting by bicycle among children may be a particular way to increase participation in cycling. Evidence reports that parents influence their children's attitudes and interests both directly and indirectly; levels of physical activity of a child, for instance, can be shaped via socialisation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the barriers to children cycling as a means of active commuting. The study used qualitative methods for collecting and analysing data with a diagnostic perspective. A total of eighteen parents, ten mothers and eight fathers, participated in the interviews. Children, eleven girls and seven boys, were aged eight to twelve years. Children's mean age was 10.2 ± 1.6 years. Children's primary modes of transport to school were by car (55.6%), walking (33.3%) and by bus (5.6%). Overall, a series of factors seem to prevent parents from supporting their children to actively commute to school. Parents fear their children being exposed to crime and bad weather conditions while actively commuting to school. The absence of cycling lanes and long or short distances from school are further issues preventing parents from supporting their children to cycle to school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Background: Since the implementation in 1986, there is little research focused on vaccine information statements (VISs) use for vaccine education and parental perception. Purpose: To explore parental reports of dissemination and use of VISs. Methods: Data for this pilot, cross-sectional, descriptive study were collected through an online survey in both English and Spanish. Results: Responses from 130 parents in one school district were analyzed. Most participants (67.7%) reported getting vaccine information from a pediatric health care provider. A majority (71.5%) said that VISs were included in the vaccination process. Approximately one third of participants (37.7%) reported reading some or all the VIS before their child was vaccinated, and more than half (59.3%) read some or all the VIS after their child was vaccinated. Conclusions: While promising that many parents reported receiving a VIS, more than one quarter of parents reported they did not. Inadequate time to read and understand VIS information before an immunization may lead to limited parental understanding. Although some participants reported struggling to understand VISs, more than half said that VISs were helpful and would read another in the future. Implications: Without appropriate use of vaccine education material, providers miss the opportunity to educate parents on the risks and benefits of vaccinating their children. Providers must be aware of literacy levels and vaccine attitudes and create appropriate opportunities for parents to read and learn about vaccines. VISs are valuable educational tools for patients and parents. Improvements are needed to improve both VIS clarity and dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Parent partnership is a key aspect of neonatal hospital care. However, there is a lack of information regarding parents' perception of neonatal safety. This study explores parents' opinions on safety during their child's hospitalization to identify points for improvement. Study Design We used a questionnaire, validated by the Spanish National Healthcare Authorities, on perception of safety with respect to hospital health care. Results Thirty-seven parents of 20 newborns treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and 139 parents of newborns in intermediate care (IC) participated in this study. With regard to overall perception of safety, more than 96% of parents felt "very safe" or "fairly safe." In the NICU, an area for improvement detected was to ask parents more often their opinion about the care or treatment provided to their child. In IC, three points for improvement were identified from the group of parents whose child was admitted directly to IC: the consistency of the information received, the request for consent for procedures, and the request for an opinion on their child's care and treatment. Only four parents reported that their child suffered an incident. Regarding incident management, parents were not completely satisfied with the information they received. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of parent perception of patient safety in a neonatal unit using a validated questionnaire. Our findings suggest that parents can provide valuable information on neonatal safety, which can then be used to identify areas for improvement. Key Points There is a lack of information regarding parents' perception of neonatal safety. This study explores parent's opinion about safety of their child during the hospitalization. Our findings suggest that parents can provide valuable information to identify improvement areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be at greater risk for developing antivaccine beliefs that lead to vaccine delays and/or refusals for their children. We investigated current parental vaccine hesitancy, parents' beliefs about causes of children's developmental delays, and children's vaccination histories among parents of children with ASD or non-ASD developmental delays. Data were analyzed from 89/511 parents (17.4%) who completed the Parent Attitudes About Childhood Vaccines questionnaire and the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire; 46.1% had childhood vaccination records available. Overall, 21/89 (23.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.0-34.0) of parents were vaccine hesitant (ASD n = 19/21 [90.5%], non-ASD n = 2/21 [9.5%]). Parents of children with ASD were significantly more likely to agree with "toxins in vaccines" as a cause of their child's developmental delays (28.4% vs 5.0%, P =.034). The odds of being vaccine hesitant were 11.9 times (95% CI 2.9-48.0) greater among parents who agreed versus disagreed that toxins in vaccines caused their children's developmental delays. Rates of prior vaccine receipt did not differ between hesitant and nonhesitant groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parents are integral in the treatment of pediatric eating disorders. The current study was conducted to further understand the barriers and facilitators that parents experience in accessing specialized, tertiary level eating disorder treatment for children and adolescents. The goals of the study were to understand the processes leading to diagnosis and treatment, perceived barriers and facilitators to accessing care, and parents' experiences over the course of their child's eating disorder treatment. Methods: Ten parents whose children were admitted to a Canadian tertiary level specialized pediatric eating disorders program took part in an exit interview upon their child's completion of treatment in the program. In-depth semi-structured interviews were combined with a visual timeline. Interpretive induction was performed to generate high-level concepts that emerged from the interviews. Results: Five high-level concepts were identified: (1) delays in identifying eating disorder symptoms, (2) challenges in accessing eating disorder services, (3) the right treatment at the right time, (4) emotional impact on parents, and (5) parental expertise and involvement. Conclusions: Several barriers were identified by parents that interfered with treatment, including system-related challenges when accessing specialized eating disorder treatment, concerns about a lack of appropriate mental health support for their child, and difficulties with transitioning between community and tertiary level care. Negative emotions, including guilt and self-blame, were common early in the treatment journey. Themes of parental involvement throughout treatment, and parents taking charge of their child's recovery, emerged across interviews. The results of this study suggest the importance of early identification of eating disorder symptoms, facilitating smoother transitions between levels of care (e.g., community services and hospital-based eating disorder care), and improving clinical decision-making to ensure children and adolescents with eating disorders receive the most appropriate treatment based on their clinical presentation. Plain English summary: Parents play a central role in pediatric eating disorder treatment. To further understand parents' experiences over the course of their child's eating disorder treatment, interviews were conducted with ten parents whose children were admitted to a specialized pediatric eating disorders program. Five major themes emerged across the interviews with parents: delays in identifying eating disorder symptoms, challenges with accessing eating disorders care, the right treatment at the right time, emotional impact on parents, and parental expertise and involvement. Parents shared several barriers that interfered with their child's treatment, including challenges with transitions between their home community and specialized eating disorder treatment. Parents also commonly spoke about guilt and self-blame when their child was first diagnosed with an eating disorder, though many parents felt relief and improved confidence after being connected with specialized eating disorder treatment. Research is needed to understand how to provide the right treatment at the right time for each child and adolescent with an eating disorder, to ultimately improve clinical care and reduce the barriers experienced by families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children are exposed to digital devices at an early age. This study examines parents' perception of student digital safety on technology use, time spent, parent concerns and knowledge on various digital safety topics. Through a survey-based study, we analyzed data collected from 113 parents. Parents mentioned that their kids use Internet via tablets and laptops primarily to watch videos, play games, and for schoolwork. Parents were knowledgeable about apps and gaps their children used for education and entertainment. Regarding time limits and restricting access, 40% of parents let their kids online for 1–2 hours in a day and 47% of parents set time limits. Parents are concerned all the time about their child's digital safety with the biggest concern being their kids being exposed to sexual content and them talking to strangers. Parents perceive themselves to be knowledgeable on most of the digital safety topics discussed in this study. Parents recommend to ensure age restrictions and identity verification when using various websites and games. This study has implications for parents of elementary school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccine hesitancy may be more common among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We examined factors associated with ASD-specific vaccine hesitancy among caregivers of children with ASD who participated in the SPARK study (Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge). 225 participants completed an online survey containing the Parent Attitudes About Childhood Vaccines (PACV) questionnaire (measure of vaccine hesitancy) and the Illness Perception Questionnaire revised for parents of children with ASD (IPQ-R-ASD; measure of parents' views about ASD). 65 participants (28.8%) were vaccine hesitant (PACV score ≥ 50); children of vaccine-hesitant parents (VHPs) were less likely to be first born (n = 27, 41.5%), had greater ASD-symptom severity (mean Social Communication Questionnaire score = 23.9, SD = 6.9), and were more likely to have experienced developmental regression (n = 27, 50.9%) or plateau (n = 37, 69.8%). Compared to non-hesitant parents, VHPs significantly more often endorsed accident/injury, deterioration of the child's immune system, diet, environmental pollution, general stress, parents' negative views, parents' behaviors/decisions, parents' emotional state, and vaccines as causes for ASD. VHPs also had higher scores on the Personal Control, Treatment Control, Illness Coherence, and Emotional Representations subscales of the IPQ-R than did non-hesitant parents. In the final model, ASD-related vaccine hesitancy was significantly associated with higher scores on the Emotional Representations subscale (OR = 1.13, p = 0.10), agreement with deterioration of the child's immunity as a cause of ASD (OR = 12.47, p < 0.001), the child not having achieved fluent speech (OR = 2.67, p = 0.17), and the child experiencing a developmental plateau (OR = 3.89, p = 0.002). Findings suggest that a combination of child functioning and developmental history, as well as parents' negative views about and their sense of control over ASD, influence vaccine hesitancy among parents of children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-perceived overweight and weight discrimination are associated with inflammation in adulthood. We test whether there is an intergenerational association of parent perception of child overweight on higher levels of child c-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation implicated in stress. Data were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2014 ( N = 4988). Parents reported their perception of their child’s weight; CRP was assayed from children’s blood samples. Children whose parents perceived them as overweight had higher CRP levels than children who were perceived about the right weight; perceived underweight was also associated with higher CRP ( F (2,4977) = 9.23, p < .001). These associations were independent of the child’s objective weight status and waist circumference and held when the sample was limited to children with objective overweight and obesity. These results suggest an intergenerational transfer of the psychological perception of body weight from parents to the inflammatory health of their child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Parents play a critical role in preventing crashes among teens. Research of parental perceptions and concerns regarding teen driving safety is limited. We examined results from the 2013 Summer ConsumerStyles survey that queried parents about restrictions placed on their teen drivers, their perceived level of “worry” about their teen driver’s safety, and influence of parental restrictions regarding their teen’s driving. Methods We produced frequency distributions for the number of restrictions imposed, parental “worry,” and influence of rules regarding their teen’s driving, reported by teen’s driving license status (learning to drive or obtained a driver’s license). Response categories were dichotomized because of small cell sizes, and we ran separate log-linear regression models to explore whether imposing all four restrictions on teen drivers was associated with either worry intensity (“a lot” versus “somewhat, not very much or not at all”) or perceived influence of parental rules (“a lot” versus “somewhat, not very much or not at all”). Results Among the 456 parent respondents, 80% reported having restrictions for their teen driver regarding use of safety belts, drinking and driving, cell phones, and text messaging while driving. However, among the 188 parents of licensed teens, only 9% reported having a written parent-teen driving agreement, either currently or in the past. Worrying “a lot” was reported less frequently by parents of newly licensed teens (36%) compared with parents of learning teens (61%). Conclusions and Practical Applications Parents report having rules and restrictions for their teen drivers, but only a small percentage formalize the rules and restrictions in a written parent-teen driving agreement. Parents worry less about their teen driver’s safety during the newly licensed phase, when crash risk is high as compared to the learning phase. Further research is needed into how to effectively support parents in supervising and monitoring their teen driver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Tele-diagnostic audiological testing in a hearing screening program for infants and young children is a novel practice, and this study is the first to explore its application in a rural community. It is important to understand parental perceptions and confidence when introducing a new process such as tele-audiological diagnostic testing in rural areas. Method A questionnaire with 17 rater-administered items was designed to elicit comments concerning the quality of tele-hearing testing and video-conferencing, access to tele-hearing testing, and parents' attitudes regarding tele-hearing testing in the village. The questionnaire was administered by an audiologist not involved in tele-diagnostic testing to avoid bias. Results Parents perceived tele-hearing testing as equal in quality to in-person testing. Technical factors such as good video-conferencing quality and logistical factors such as ease of access due to reasonable travel time to testing facility could have influenced these perceptions. Conclusions While these results show tele-hearing testing is an acceptable alternative, occasional poor signal quality should be addressed prior to large-scale implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of Hispanic parents' perceptions of their preschool children's weight status. Design and Methods A cross-sectional descriptive design with Hispanic parent-child dyads ( n = 83) from a Head Start setting was used to compare parents' perceptions of their children's weight status with their 2- to 5-year-old children's body mass index (BMI) and weight categories. Methods included a word choice from five response options, and varying body size silhouettes presented in a linear fashion and a random circular pattern. Parents' perceptions were compared with the children's BMI, and in relationship to parents' demographic characteristics and BMI. Results Approximately half of parents underestimated their child's weight status, and overweight/obese parents tended to underestimate their overweight/obese children's weight status. Practice Implications Eliciting parent perception of their child's weight is one way providers can engage in obesity prevention dialogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A contentious theory espoused by some parents is that regressive-onset of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is triggered by vaccines. If this were true, then vaccine receipt should be higher in children with regressive-onset ASD compared with other patterns of onset. Parental report of rate of receipt for six vaccines (DPT/DTaP, HepB, Hib, polio, MMR, varicella) was examined in children with ASD ( N = 2755) who were categorized by pattern of ASD onset (early onset, plateau, delay-plus-regression, regression). All pairwise comparisons were significantly equivalent within a 10% margin for all vaccines except varicella, for which the delay-plus-regression group had lower rates of receipt (81%) than the early-onset (87%) and regression (87%) groups. Findings do not support a connection between regressive-onset ASD and vaccines in this cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperament atypicalities have been documented in infancy and early development in children who develop autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The current study investigates whether there are differences in developmental trajectories of temperament between infants and toddlers with and without ASD. Parents of infant siblings of children with autism completed the Carey Temperament Scales about their child at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months of age. Temperament trajectories of children with ASD reflected increases over time in activity level, and decreasing adaptability and approach behaviors relative to high-risk typically developing (TD) children. This study is the first to compare temperament trajectories between high-risk TD infants and infants subsequently diagnosed with ASD in the developmental window when overt symptoms of ASD first emerge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirically conducted studies of the efficacy of various treatments for autism are limited, which leaves parents with little evidence on which to base their treatment decisions (Kasari, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 32: 447-461, ). The purpose of this study was to examine the types of treatments in current use by families of children with ASD. In addition, parents' perceptions of improvement in their child's functioning were explored. Through an online survey, a sample of 970 parents of ASD children reported on the treatments currently in use, those discontinued, and reasons for discontinuation. Results indicate that most families adopt multiple treatment approaches. Parents were most likely to discontinue non-evidence based treatments when they did not see improvement in their child's functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Findings are reported regarding maternal experiences of their seriously emotionally disordered child both prior to and following a stay in a residential children's mental health treatment facility. Prior to placement, these parents had exhausted all nonresidential forms of intervention and, increasingly, became concerned not only for their identified child's welfare, but also for that of themselves and other siblings in the home. Regardless of whether their child's stay in residential treatment yielded positive or negative treatment outcomes, these parents unilaterally viewed the intensive short-term treatment of their child as an extremely valuable and necessary service. Parental recommendations for improvement in residential services include a reduced waitlist period, availability of services to children at a younger age, more parental education regarding effective child management strategies, and increased support for caregivers. The results are discussed as they relate to policy and practice for residential treatment providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary objective: To determine whether parents believe schools provided necessary support to their children who sustained traumatic brain injuries. Research design: Interview, to determine parent perceptions. Methods and procedure: Sixty-six primary caregivers of school-age children who experienced a TBI within the previous 2 years were interviewed regarding what types of special support were needed by and provided for their children during the 3 months immediately following school re-entry. They then rated how difficult it was to obtain support or services from the school and how satisfied they were with the support or services. Main outcomes and results: The majority of participants did not perceive the need for school-based services, even when the injury was severe. Almost all students whose parents perceived a need for an adjusted schedule were granted that accommodation, but few students received school-based counselling or behavioural support. Conclusions: Results indicated that participants perceived relatively few school-based supports, particularly given the actual academic, behavioural and social challenges experienced by children who have sustained a TBI. Schools and hospitals must take steps to ensure appropriate post-head injury support services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Dentists' and parents' assessment of primary maxillary incisors regarding attractiveness, perceived health, and treatment preferences were investigated in this study. Methods: Sample groups of 103 general dentists, 67 pediatric dentists, 97 parents of children in low-income families and 112 parents of children in high-income families completed questionnaires presenting color photographs and radiographs of maxillary incisors. Questions addressed treatment need, health beliefs, and demographics. Results: All groups recognized grossly carious teeth and carious teeth with visible sinus tracts as unhealthy and unattractive. All agreed that grossly carious teeth warranted extraction (dentists=92%, parents=73%). For carious teeth with sinus tracts, dentists favored extraction and restorations while parents favored fluoride application. Dentists rated a dark incisor as healthy and not requiring treatment. Parents rated a dark incisor as neutral for attractiveness and health, but favored extraction or restoration. All groups found anterior steel crowns esthetically unacceptable. Trust of the dentist, pain for the child, and dentist skill was important for parents in treatment plan acceptance. Conclusions: A dentist's inexperience in pediatrics may result in a failure to diagnose or recognize the significance of some conditions. Proper parental education can better inform parents on dental conditions requiring prompt professional attention. Although parents today are more involved in clinical decision-making, they still rely on the dentist's expertise and advice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to conduct an audit of parent/carer satisfaction with the service provided for children presenting with movement difficulties [developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD)/dyspraxia] at the out-patient physiotherapy clinic of a specialist tertiary referral paediatric hospital. A postal questionnaire was used to obtain objective and subjective data on the service offered. Factual information on aspects such as waiting time for first appointment, type of intervention offered, etc. was checked against clinical records. Satisfaction with the service was assessed using ratings and open-ended comment. Forty-five families completed the questionnaire. The results showed that the service was generally rated highly. The opportunity to discuss the child's problems and its implications was considered valuable. Among families offered 1 : 1 intervention, a statistically significant correlation emerged between the number of sessions attended and perceived effectiveness. Among families offered a home programme, perceived effectiveness was related to the number of times per week the child practised the programme. This study showed that many children from mainstream schools with co-ordination problems continued to find it difficult to obtain a clear diagnosis. Once a referral and assessment had been achieved, however, parents/carers were shown to be satisfied with the package offered by this service provider. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]