A Solution-Focused Coaching Intervention with Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy to Achieve Participation-Oriented Goals

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> The ultimate goal of therapeutic intervention is meaningful participation in one's world. For people with Cerebral Palsy (CP), limitations can often become a focus of care.<b>Aim:</b> Our purpose was to investigate the impact of a Solution-Focused Coaching intervention designed for pediatric rehabilitation (SFC-peds) on the attainment of participation goals for children/youth with CP.<b>Method:</b> Twelve participants participated in a repeated measures quantitative study and in qualitative interviews. Children and youth (ages 6-19) and their families participated in three to five coaching sessions, including an initial baseline goal setting session, with one additional follow-up session as well as the qualitative interviews. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and Goal Attainment Scaling were incorporated into initial coaching sessions and then re-administered by a blind assessor within one month post-intervention. Qualitative interviews were conducted at this time.<b>Results:</b> Statistically significant improvements were found in goal performance, satisfaction, and attainment. Interview data included consideration of both the content of the intervention (<i>what</i> the practitioner is doing) and the unique SFC-peds process (<i>how</i> the client feels about the intervention).<b>Conclusions:</b> SFC-peds may present an effective approach for working with children/youth with CP to achieve self-selected participation-oriented goals in a relatively short time-period.