Coaching in Early Intervention
According to Rush & Shelden (2005), coaching is defined as:
An adult learning strategy in which the coach promotes the learner’s ability to reflect on his or her actions as a means to determine the effectiveness of an action or practice and develop a plan for refinement and use of the action in immediate and future situations.
Coaching interactions can be used by practitioners during early intervention visits to help parents develop their abilities to interact with their children in ways that support their child’s development. Coaching can be used during natural family routines as a way to help families identify strategies, practice them during visits, reflect on their interactions with their children, problem solve challenges, and receive supportive feedback.
For more information on how to use coaching in your work, check out the resources you’ll find under this topic.
Reference
Rush, D. D., & Shelden, M. L. (2005). Evidence-based definition of coaching practices. CASEInPoint, 1(6), 1-6.
Articles & Handouts
A Guide to Effective Consultation in Settings Serving Infants, Toddlers, and Their Families (external website)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
This guide defines core knowledge, competencies, and dispositions for consultants working with early care and education programs and diverse settings serving infants, toddlers, and their families. Settings include center-based child care, family child care, Early Head Start, family, friend, and neighbor care, Part C early intervention, home visiting, and early childhood mental health.
BriefCASE – Coaching Quick Reference Guide (external website)
This BriefCASE outlines what an individual using a coaching interaction style and the person being coached (i.e., the learner) would each do in relation to the characteristics of the coaching process.
BriefCASE – Tips & Techniques for Effective Coaching Interactions (external website)
This article describes strategies to help practitioners use a coaching style of interaction.
CASEInPoint – Evidence-Based Definition of Coaching Practices (external website)
This article describes a definition for coaching based on research and the characteristics of coaching so that practitioners can understand how coaching can be used to build the capacity of parents and other colleagues.
CASEInPoint – Common Misperceptions about Coaching in Early Intervention (external website)
This article addresses 10 common misperceptions about using coaching, including the therapist’s role with the child and family, use during a billable service, purpose of coaching, etc.
CASEtools-A Framework for Reflective Questioning When Using a Coaching Interaction Style (external website)
This CASEtool includes a description of the development and use of the Framework for Reflective Questioning. The framework is useful for assisting coaches in promoting reflection on the part of another person when using a capacity-building approach in early childhood intervention.
CASEtools-Coaching Practices Rating Scale for Assessing Adherence to Evidence-Based EC Intervention Practices (external website)
This CASEtool includes a brief overview of coaching practices, a description of the Coaching Practices Rating Scale, and an explanation of how to use the scale to determine the extent to which a practitioner uses the characteristics of coaching as part of his or her work with a family member or in supporting a colleague.
Coaching Resources (external website)
National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders
Visit this page for the NPDC Coaching Manual, presentations, and coaching video examples.
EI Coaching Initiatives PDF | HTML
Integrated Training Collaborative
This handout provides information about the ITC’s professional development activities related to supporting EI service providers in learning to use coaching interactions with families.
Using Primary Service Providers & Coaching in Early Intervention Programs (external website)
Definition and Characteristics of Primary Coach Approach to Teaming: Moving Beyond Multidisciplinary Practices
Life Span Institute at Parsons
University of Kansas
This technical assistance/training packet includes handouts and quizzes providing information about coaching and the transdisciplinary primary provider model to service delivery and teaming.
Online Learning
Introduction to Coaching in Natural Learning Environments (external website)
FIPP Center for Professional Development
This learning module provides an overview of coaching in early intervention and early childhood. The module contains a video clip that may be useful for practitioners who would like to see coaching in action.
Websites
Visit this site for lots of resources on coaching and natural learning environment practices.
