In early intervention circles, there has long been an appreciation of the necessity of working with families and supporting them in their crucial role as their children's first teachers. A family-centered philosophy is now widely used in addressing developmental delays and disorders. This philosophy is just as important when the purpose of intervention is promoting the healthy emotional and behavioral development in children at risk because of a poor temperament-environment fit. Seeing Parents as the Experts on their Children's Temperament. We believe that children are best helped by helping their parents.
Parents are, after all, the major socializing agents of their offspring.
Furthermore, on matters of temperament, parents truly are the experts on their children. Some years ago, a great deal of heated scientific debate took place about the reliability of parents' reports and ratings of their children's temperament. This knowledge needs to be recognized and respected in intervention programs. These programs focus on making changes in families by working in direct partnership with parents. The Program of Individualized Temperament Guidance is designed to be delivered in eight sessions with an individual family.