Behavioral group parent training in spina bifida

Abstract

The parents of four children with spina bifida participated in a pilot project consisting of a nine‐week group training program designed to teach behavioral techniques. Assessment batteries administered prior to the program, upon completion of the program, and three months after the program indicated that the parents acquired these behavioral techniques and maintained them after the cessation of the program. Per parent report, these techniques were effectively implemented in various self‐help skills training programs which they designed for their children. Baseline, teaching, and follow‐up data on the self‐help skills taught by the parents to their children demonstrated significant acquisition of these skills from baseline to teaching sessions with maintenance of the self‐help skills demonstrated over a three‐month follow‐up period. Further research and development of such programs was discussed in the context of teaching parents behavioral techniques which will enable them to facilitate functional independence in their children with spina bifida.