Katie Neal1,2, Brooke Rose, Jen Whiteway, Dr Pia Watkins1,2
1The Shepherd Centre, , Australia, 2Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University, , Australia
Purpose:
This presentation aims to discuss flexible models of clinical care to support independence and agency in intervention for children and adolescents with hearing loss.
Scope:
Key concepts of client-centred practice: individual autonomy and choice, partnership, therapist and client responsibility, and enablement are discussed. Qualitative data and practice examples are used to illustrate these ideas and raise issues about obstacles to the practice of client-centred therapy for children and adolescents with hearing loss.
Issue:
The aim of intervention for children and adolescence is to maximize the client’s participation in their environment and the community yet the goals for intervention are commonly led by caregivers and the team responsible for the child’s wellbeing. Paediatric clients, ranging from birth to 18 years of age all have a range of strength and needs and require strategies for care that respect them as such. As such, the intervention and care should include them in a “working alliance” with the rest of the clinical team and the family.
Other professions such as Occupational Therapy focus on a client-centred practice and have linked client participation and involvement in therapy sessions to rapport, mutual respect and stable relationship between the therapist and the paediatric client.
Conclusion:
This literature review and qualitative data illuminate the potential benefits to outcomes and quality of life for paediatric clients when a shift to a more client-centred approach is introduced. It also highlights the need for capacity building of professionals to have the confidence in engaging in a partnership with paediatric clients and not only the adults in the care team.
Biography:
Biography to come.