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Research has shown that families raising a child with intellectual disability (ID) face many challenges and need to implement adaptation strategies. Some authors suggest that positive parental perceptions and perceived control could reduce emotional impact and promote family wellbeing. Nevertheless, there are few studies about the relationship between parental perceptions and family quality of life (FQoL) in those families. In this study, we used data from a sample of 251 Spanish parents whose children have ID. Positive perceptions scale and control perceptions scale, Spanish FQoL scale under 18 years-old and a sociodemographic questionnaire were administered to those families. The results of bivariate analysis showed that some dimensions of positive perceptions were related to different areas of FQoL, for example, social inclusion and family accommodation. FQoL was associated with family income and support received. To predict the FQoL level, a multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted. Results indicated that FQoL scores can be predicted by a linear combination of positive perceptions and family income. Practical implications for promoting FQoL in these families are discussed.

Early intervention services (EIS) worked hard to continue serving children and their families during the COVID-19 lockdown, using online applications. This study aimed to determine families’ and professionals’ perceptions of the functioning of the early intervention (EI) model in Spain during the pandemic. The study sample comprised two subsamples: 81 families of children attended at an EIS (72 mothers and 9 fathers) and 213 professionals recruited from EIS. The survey was conducted online several weeks after the end of the strict lockdown in Spain. Descriptive statistics of the questionnaire answered by families and professionals were compiled, comparisons were made between the families’ and the professionals’ responses, and the relationships with several sociodemographic variables were analyzed. The results indicated that parents who cared for their children and were fully responsible for housework, parents who had used telematic tools before the lockdown, and younger professionals had a more positive perception of the EI model and the incorporation of family-centered practices (FCP) during the pandemic. The results also showed statistically significant differences in some items between parents and professionals: for example, professionals perceived more advantages than families during the lockdown, quoting the greater participation of families in the intervention and a greater focus on families’ needs. The data obtained from professionals suggested a more positive attitude toward FCP: however, the results show that they continued to adopt a directive role in the intervention, a position that is at odds with the tenets of FCP. There is a clear need for more training if a paradigm shift to FCP is to be achieved. Families’ and caregivers’ perceptions of telerehabilitation, and their adherence to telerehabilitation programs, are discussed. The implications of this study with regard to guiding future telematic interventions and family support are also considered.

Background The study assesses the support needs of individuals with intellectual disability and their families in Catalonia. The present authors examine family quality of life (FQoL), identify the individual services required and assess families' perceptions of the extent to which their family member with intellectual disability and they themselves receive the services they need. Materials and Methods The N&S questionnaire (Needs and Supports for people with intellectual disability and their families) was administered to 2160 families with a family member with intellectual disability aged under 70 in Catalonia (Spain). Results Overall mean FQoL was quite high. FQoL was associated with family income, education, employment and percentage level of disability. Neither people with intellectual disability nor their families receive the specific support they need. Conclusions Besides providing specific support for individuals with intellectual disability, local policymakers and practitioners should apply a family-centred approach to the provision of support for families in order to improve FQoL.

ResumenLa atencion temprana es una realidad suficientemente consolidada en Espana despues de treinta anos de trabajo con familias y ninos con trastornos del desarrollo o riesgo de padecerlos. Este articulo supone una reflexion en torno a las practicas profesionales que tienen lugar en los centros de atencion temprana de nuestro pais y los principios teoricos que les dan cobertura, con la finalidad de realizar algunas propuestas de futuro. En este sentido, se subraya y se reivindica la necesidad de adoptar un enfoque centrado en la familia, en la misma linea que ya se inicio hace unos anos con la publicacion del Libro Blanco de la Atencion Temprana. La adopcion progresiva de este enfoque por parte de los profesionales contribuiria a mejorar algunos de los puntos debiles que todavia hoy presenta la atencion temprana en nuestro pais.

Many child language studies emphasize the value of verbal and social support, of ‘scaffolding’ processes and mutual adjustments that naturally occur in adult-child interactions in everyday contexts. Based on such theories, this study attempted to improve the language and communication skills in children with special educational needs through naturalistic intervention. The results showed positive changes in the targeted language components of three children with Down syndrome. We consider that child language gains were best maintained after intervention if the mothers received at the same time specific advice about verbal interaction at home.

ResumenDurante los ultimas anos, los trabajos sobre el desarrollo del lenguaje infantil, enfatizan el papel que desempena la interaccion social y verbal entre ninos y adultos en relacion a la adquisicion del lenguaje en ninos de desarrollo normal. Sin embargo, a pesar de la idea optimista de que los estudios realizados en poblacion normal pueden dar lugar a modelos de intervencion logopedica con ninos discapacitados, se han disenado muy pocos estudios de investigacion intervencion en este sentido. Este estudio pretende justamente paliar esta falta, empleando algunas de las estrategias observadas en los procesos naturales de adquisicion de la comunicacion y lenguaje, consideradas optimizadoras del desarrollo, en el trabajo terapeutico en el area del lenguaje con ninos que tienen Necesidades Educativas Especiales (NEE). De los resultados obtenidos se pueden derivar consecuencias relativas a la practica clinica y educativa y a la adquisicion de primera o segunda lengua.

Background Researchers, professionals, and families have shown increasing concern with the family quality of life (FQoL) of people with intellectual disability (ID) and their families. The goals of this research were (a) to explore how Spanish families understand FQoL by developing 2 different measurement tools for families with a member with ID under and over 18 years old, and (b) to provide 2 diagnostic instruments that will be useful for designing action plans.Method The study comprised 4 stages: (a) focus groups, (b) expert assessment, (c) pilot study, and (d) normalisation and standardisation. The data were collected in 5 regions in Spain, and 1,205 families with a member with ID took part in the normalisation and standardisation of the scales.Results Both FQoL scales were consistent and have valid psychometric characteristics.Conclusions The scales have a diagnostic purpose for use in designing action plans aimed at producing significant changes in families’ lives.