Parent Support & Training
Parent Support & Training.
The HSE provide a range of parent training and support services but availability differs in each county.
To find what parent training is available in your area, ask your Early Intervention Service.
Further information can be found in the dedicated tabs on the left (top for some mobile users). Please select a tab to view the information.
Earlybird.
Earlybird is a three month programme for parents of a preschool child with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The programme aims to support parents in the period between diagnosis and school placement.
The programme offers parents the opportunity to understand their child’s autism, connect with their child and find ways to encourage interaction and communication.
Parents also learn how to analyse and understand their child’s behaviour and how to use structure to pre-empt challenging behaviour.
Six families can attend the programme together. This involves eight group sessions and three individual home visits where the parent is videoed working on specific goals with their child.
The Hanen Programme.
The Hanen programme is a family focused programme for parents of young children with language delay.
The programme “It Takes Two to Talk” stresses the importance of parental involvement in the child’s intervention.
The programme is taught to parents in groups and parents are shown how communication can be developed using everyday opportunities.
The programme consists of group training sessions combined with individual consultation using video feedback.
“More Than Words” is the Hanen Programme designed specifically for parents of children ages 5 and under on the autism spectrum.
Addressing the unique needs of these children, the program provides parents with the tools, strategies and support they need to help their children reach their full communication potential.
This programme considers the child’s sensory preferences, the need for structure and predictability as well as integrating the strategic needs to support the child’s communication and interaction in everyday activities.
The programme consists of group training sessions combined with individual consultation using video feedback.
Marte Meo.
Marte Meo translates as ‘On One’s Own Strength’.
The central focus of the programme is to identify, activate and develop skills to enable and enhance constructive interaction and development.
This is a video-based programme that provides concrete and practical information to parents and carers on supporting the social, emotional and communication development of children, adolescents and adults.
It offers support and advice for parents of children who are experiencing developmental delay, behavioural difficulties, have a diagnosis of autism, Aspergers, ADHD or because of other social or family problems.
Parent Plus Early Years Programme.
Drawing on well-researched ideas about child development, and parent-child communication, the Parents Plus Early Years Programme is ideal for parents who want to maximise their children’s learning, language and social development, as well as reduce behaviour problems, while ensuring their children grow up happy and emotionally secure.
The programme is suitable both for children within the normal range of development as well as children with special needs such as ADHD, speech and language and other development difficulties.
Parent Support Groups.
Some Early Intervention Services run parent support group meetings on a regular basis.
These meetings are a chance for parents of newly diagnosed children to meet with other parents and join a mutual support network.