Early Intervention Experiences of Parents of Children with Disability, Developmental and Social Risks in Međimurje County

Ovim radom se želi prikazati perspektiva roditelja djece s razvojnim i socijalnim rizicima te teškoćama u razvoju o iskustvu podrške s obzirom na usluge rane intervencije u Međimurskoj županiji. U skladu s općim ciljem postavljeni su specifični ciljevi koji se ogledaju u istraživačkim pitanjima: iskustva podrške ranom intervencijom, trenutne potrebe obitelji i djeteta te očekivanja od buduće podrške. U istraživanju je korišten kvalitativan pristup prikupljanja i analize podataka. Sudjelovalo je 20 roditelja (18 majki i 2 oca), koji su u istraživanje izabrani namjernim uzorkovanjem. Kriteriji odabira sudionika su imanje djeteta sa teškoćama u razvoju, razvojnim ili socijalnim rizikom koje je u dobi od 3 do 6 godina, 10 roditelja je uključeno u različite usluge rane intervencije, 10 roditelja nije uključeno u usluge rane intervencije i svi su iz različitih područja Međimurske županije. Sudionici su ispitani metodom polustrukturiranog intervjua koji su snimani audio zapisom, transkribirani te analizirani kvalitativnom metodom. Roditelji su zadovoljni stručnjacima i profesionalnom podrškom koju primaju u MURID-u te aktivnostima koje su im ponuđene u Udruzi Pogled. Kao najveće probleme navode nedostatak podrške, teškoće u pronalaženju informacija, nedostatak educiranih stručnjaka i suradnje sa stručnjacima, nekoordiniranost usluga te imaju negativno iskustvo vezano uz suradnju sa obiteljskim liječnicima i pedijatrima. Područje rane intervencije je kritično područje koje zahtijeva profesionalan, interdisciplinaran pristup i timski način rada. S ciljem poboljšanja sustava, potrebno je povezati obiteljske liječnike i pedijatre sa pružateljima usluga rane intervencije, kako bi se na vrijeme prepoznalo razvojno zaostajanje kod djeteta i kako bi obitelj primila pravovremenu podršku. Nužno je osigurati provođenje znanstveno utemeljenih, obiteljski usmjerenih intervencija, smanjiti broj različitih stručnjaka koji rade s djetetom te osigurati sve potrebne informacije na jednom mjestu.This paper aims to present the results of research on experiences of families of children with disability, developmental and social risks in Međimurje County with regard to early intervention services they receive or have received. In accordance with the general aim of the research, specific objectives were set, which are reflected in the research questions: what kind of experience describes parents regarding to early intervention services, current needs of the family and the child and expectations of future support. Qualitative methodology was used and the study included 20 parents (18 mothers and 2 fathers), who were chosen for the study by selective sampling. In order to fit the selection criteria the participants had to have a child with disability, developmental or social risk, between three and six years old, ten of them are involved in early intervention services and other ten of them aren't involved in early intervention services, all of them are from different part in Međimurje County. Semi-structured interviews were used to test the participants which were saved by audio recordings, transcribed and analyzed through the qualitative method. Parents are satisfied with the experts and professional support they receive in MURID and the activities offered by Association Pogled. They reported a range of obstacles, which included lack of support, difficulties in finding information, lack of qualified experts, lack of partnership with experts, uncoordinated services, bad experiences with family doctors and pediatricians.The area of early intervention is a critical area requiring a professional, interdisciplinary approach and teamwork. In order to improve the services and the system it is important to connect family doctors and pediatricians with service providers and identify the developmental delay on time. It is necessary to promote evidance based interventions, family centered services, ensuring information is accessible in one place, and to reduce the number of different professionals working with the child