Abstract

CIA, Fabiana; WILLIAMS, Lúcia Cavalcanti de Albuquerque  and  AIELLO, Ana Lúcia Rossito. Intervention focused on the family: a case study with a pregnant student and toddler at risk. Rev. bras. educ. espec. [online]. 2005, vol.11, n.01, pp.49-65. ISSN 1413-6538.

Early intervention provides a significant experience to the individual considered of risk minimizing or preventing the occurrence of more severe developmental damage. The family is an essential component of the efficacy of an early intervention program, as it is responsible for the solution of daily problems that appear during the different developmental phases of their children. The intervention becomes even more important for pregnant students of low economic background as many do not know how to take care of the child, many of them have left school, in addition to an inadequate social support system. Thus, the aim of this study was: to identify the short-term having impact of a family-focused intervention program, and to evaluate its mid-term impact in the development of a child at risk. One child (20-month-old) and her mother (15-years-old) took part of the study. Interviews were conducted with the mother and the Operacionalized Portage Inventory was assessed with the child. In addition, the intervention professional interaction with the mother was recorded. The intervention was effective in a short-term, since the mother organized her life (returning to school and to her social activities), and did more frequent adequate interaction with her daughter. After five months of intervention, the child presented significant improvement in all development areas. The intervention was found to be effective in term of family empowerment and, consequently, enhancing the child’s development.

Keywords : Intervention; Family; Special Education; Pregnant Students.

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