Parents' Experiences of the Provision of Community-Based Family Support and Therapy Services Utilizing the Strengths Approach and Natural Learning Environments

Background: In recent years, community based therapy service providers have explored different service delivery models to optimize child and family outcomes. This qualitative study aimed to explore parents' experiences of one particular service team that adopted a strengths approach, utilizing natural learning environments. Materials and methods: Nine parents undertook in-depth, semi-structured interviews that were taped, transcribed, and examined using thematic content analysis. Rigour was ensured through peer and member checking, field journals and an audit trail. Results: Several key themes emerged including; families' initial experiences of the service, their views of their child with a disability, their hopes for the future, and their experiences of receiving intervention from the team. Conclusions: Parents were generally positive about the adoption of a strengths approach. "Working together", "being positive" and "information exchange" were the main themes that parents' attributed to their positive experiences with the service.