Empowerment, satisfaction, and family quality of life in early intervention: A qualitative study of professional practices received

Table 1 Descriptive characteristics of the sample and the early intervention service context (n = 30)

Domain	Variable	Value (%)1
Interviewed caregiver	Sex (female)	25 (83.3)
Interviewed caregiver	Sex (male)	5 (16.7)
Interviewed caregiver	Age (years)	Median 37 (22-55 years)
Interviewed caregiver	Employment status: Full-time work	13 (43.3)
Interviewed caregiver	Employment status: Part-time work	7 (23.3)
Interviewed caregiver	Employment status: Unemployed	6 (20.0)
Interviewed caregiver	Employment status: Job seeking	4 (13.3)
Child	Sex (girl)	12 (40.0)
Child	Sex (boy)	18 (60.0)
Child	Age (years)	Median 3 (1-8 years)
Child	School enrollment: Yes	26 (86.7)
Child	School enrollment: No	4 (13.3)
Child	School grade: Preschool (3 years)	7 (23.3)
Child	School grade: Preschool (4 years)	8 (26.7)
Child	School grade: Preschool (5 years)	1 (3.3)
Child	School grade: 1st grade (Primary school)	2 (6.7)
Child	School grade: Other	8 (26.7)
Child	School grade: Not enrolled/not applicable	4 (13.3)
EI service context	Time since EI service entry (n = 29): < 3 months	3 (10.3)
EI service context	Time since EI service entry (n = 29): 3-6 months	2 (6.9)
EI service context	Time since EI service entry (n = 29): 6-12 months	5 (17.2)
EI service context	Time since EI service entry (n = 29): 12-18 months	7 (24.1)
EI service context	Time since EI service entry (n = 29): ≥ 2 years	12 (41.4)
EI service context	Primary condition/diagnosis (n = 29): Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)	6 (20.7)
EI service context	Primary condition/diagnosis (n = 29): Rare disease/genetic syndrome	10 (34.5)
EI service context	Primary condition/diagnosis (n = 29): Developmental delay (including delay + language)	6 (20.7)
EI service context	Primary condition/diagnosis (n = 29): Language disorder	1 (3.4)
EI service context	Primary condition/diagnosis (n = 29): Physical disability	1 (3.4)
EI service context	Primary condition/diagnosis (n = 29): No diagnosis/under assessment	5 (17.2)

¹Percentages for “time since early intervention service entry” and “primary condition/diagnosis” were calculated using n = 29 (one case had missing data for these variables). Percentages may not total exactly 100% due to rounding.

EI: Early intervention.

Table 2 Summary of themes, subthemes, and illustrative quotes

Theme	Subtheme	Illustrative quote1
1. Initial impact	Uncertainty and disorientation	“Not knowing what would happen tomorrow” (H - Castile and León)
1. Initial impact	Normalization with support	“We have understood the situation and have normalized everything” (M and F - Basque Country)
2. Empowerment	Informed choice/collaboration	“It’s always, what do you think about this?” (M4 - Valencian Community)
2. Empowerment	Security through “tools”	“Having the tools (…) gives you a certain sense of security” (M - Canary Islands)
2. Empowerment	Situated learning during sessions	“The therapy time with the child is also therapy time for you” (F and M - Madrid)
3. Limits	Lack of transfer to home	“Many times, at home, I don’t know how to act” (M1 - Valencian Community)
3. Limits	New situations/feeling overwhelmed	“New situations overwhelm you” (F and M - Madrid)
4. FQoL	Stress reduction/emotional strength	“Our stress levels have decreased” (F -Castile and León)
4. FQoL	Professional alliance and emotional support	“Having someone as a support (…) our reality has changed” (M4 - Valencian Community)
4. FQoL	Preserving the parental role	“We have to be parents (…) I haven’t played with him” (F - Canary Islands)

¹The citation codes identify the interviewee and the autonomous community: M = mother, F = father; when both parents participated, it is indicated as “M and F” along with the autonomous community.

EI: Early intervention; FQoL: Family quality of life.