Parent Education Practicum Model: Theoretical and Philosophical Basis for the Parent Program

One component of the final report of a 3-year project to train speech language pathologists and audiologists to deliver services to young children (birth to age 5) with communication disorders, the paper describes the parent education practicum model developed by the project. The underlying philosophical foundation of the training was to adapt to the individual interests and needs of each family based on the INREAL (Inter-reactive learning) model for effective communication. In addition to the parent training program, activities offered to parents included a parent orientation to the Child Language Center (CLC) in Boulder, Colorado, parent meetings, parent observation of the CLC, social activities, and parent conferences. The parent/child interaction training program included: classroom observation by parent/s and trainer, in-home video taping of the family, viewing and discussion of video by parent/s and trainer, and parent discussion group. Training in the parent component was received by four graduate students and their training goals are outlined. A case study demonstrating the interface of family, trainees, and trainer completes the report. (DB)