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

Background: 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. Aim: 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. Method: 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. Results: Statistically significant improvements were found in goal performance, satisfaction, and attainment. Interview data included consideration of both the content of the intervention (what the practitioner is doing) and the unique SFC-peds process (how the client feels about the intervention). Conclusions: 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.