Family Voices Matter: Occupational Therapy’s Role in Promoting Family Engagement and Caregiver Navigation in Early Intervention

Time: 8:30-10:00am

Location: 101B

Presenter(s): KellyGiuliano, OTD, OTR/L; JanakiPatel, OTD, OTR/L; LaurenLittle, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Contributing Author(s): SusanMagasi, PhD; AshleyStoffel, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP

Content Areas: Pediatrics - includes Early Intervention, School-Based Practice, Sensory Integration; Developmental Disabilities

Target Audience: Student, Entry-level, Intermediate-level, Advanced-level

Course Description: This presentation will focus on the experiences of families navigating the entrance process of the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) program, highlighting key barriers and facilitators to accessing services. Drawing on mixed methods research study results including a focus group and survey data, we will discuss how occupational therapy practitioners, and the EI community can better enhance family engagement, support caregiver-led navigation, and improve equity in early intervention access.