For parents of children with Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Is the provision of the Incredible Years Parenting Programme, effective at increasing the child’s social, emotional and academic competence, reducing problematic behaviours and enhancing familial wellbeing?
Background: Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders are frequently referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, with problematic behaviour, low mood, poor self-esteem, anxiety and poor familial wellbeing. Early intervention is essential, as left untreated prognosis is poor; however waiting lists for individualised support are long. Despite individual diagnosis, however, thematic difficulties are seen across all disorder groups. The provision of the Incredible Years Programme (Webster Stratton 2006) however could potentially provide support to a larger number of families in an appropriate and timely manner at a primary care level. The programme has been widely investigated in its efficacy with children with conduct problems, and is currently recommended as the treatment of choice for children with conduct disorder (NICE 2013) The programmes underpinning theory and ethos of working with the family is reflective of the needs of families of children with neurodevelopmental disorder and therefore its evidence base with this specific client group has been investigated.
Method: A thorough search of Cinahl, Medline, Psych articles, Psych Info, Ovid, Amed, Embase, and the British Nursing Index databases was undertaken using the key terms listed below. Databases were searched simultaneously to avoid duplication, using the keywords identified. The process of free text searching, with the addition of ‘truncation’, (a shortcut device to search for all differing variations on a word) and the use of the Boolean operator, was also utilised in an attempt to identify more applicable results. The ovid and Medline databases were also searched using ‘MESH’ Terms,
The evidence identified was judged against a predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eight pieces of research were unearthed and each critically analysed against a reputable critiquing tool.
Findings: Two articles were excluded due to poor methodology. The remaining studies identify encouraging results and highlight the programmes potential ability to be effective with the specified client group in all of the three areas investigated:
1: Increased social, emotional and academic competence.
2: Reduced Problematic Behaviour.
3: Enhancing Familial Wellbeing.
Conclusions: In Line with Government Objectives Changes to current practices are required if the needs of families of children with neurodevelopmental disorder are to be met appropriately and in a timely manner. The Incredible Years Programme could be given potential consideration as a first line treatment approach for such families, thus potentially reducing referrals and long waiting lists for 1:1 therapeutic support. However with only eight pieces of research unearthed, research in this area is still in its infancy, and therefore this review is not without limitations. In order for consideration to implementing the Incredible Years Programme into clinical practice, a full dissemination strategy of the reviews findings would initially need to be implemented, followed by a robust and collaborative business plan.