Volume 13, Issue 4 (Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 2026)
Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 2026, 13(4): 495-507 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Rahbar Karbasdehi F, Afrooz G A, Rahbar Karbasdehi E. The Effectiveness of a Family-Based Early Interaction Intervention on Adaptive Behavior and Early Social Communication in Toddlers with Down Syndrome. , Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry. 2026; 13 (4) :495-507
URL: http://shenakht.muk.ac.ir/article-1-2900-en.html
URL: http://shenakht.muk.ac.ir/article-1-2900-en.html
1- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Kooshyar Institute of Higher Education, Rasht, Iran , fatemeh.rahbar.karbasdehi@gmail.com
2- Professor, Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3- Ph.D. in Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2- Professor, Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3- Ph.D. in Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (71 Views)
Background and Aims: Toddlers with Down syndrome (DS) often experience difficulties in acquiring adaptive skills and developing early social communication due to cognitive limitations and developmental delays. Given the central role of early parent–child interactions in the development of these skills, family-based interventions are of particular importance. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a family-based early interaction intervention on adaptive behavior and early social communication in toddlers with DS.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest, posttest, and three-month follow-up design. The statistical population included all children with DS aged 1 to 3 years who were referred to the Pardis Rehabilitation Center in Rasht, Iran, in 2025, along with their parents, from whom 15 children were selected through convenience sampling and assigned to the experimental group. The research instruments were the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (Harrison & Oakland, 2015), as well as the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile (Wetherby & Prizant, 2002). The training program was implemented in ten 90-minute sessions for the parents of the experimental group. The findings were analyzed using a one-way repeated-measures MANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc test using SPSS software (version27).
Results: The results showed that this program had a significant effect on improving adaptive behavior and early social communication in toddlers with DS (p<0.05). The post-hoc test results also indicated the stability of the effects up to the follow-up stage.
Conclusion: Given the role of parents in children’s development and learning, a family-based early interaction intervention can help enrich everyday learning opportunities and promote developmental outcomes in toddlers with DS.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest, posttest, and three-month follow-up design. The statistical population included all children with DS aged 1 to 3 years who were referred to the Pardis Rehabilitation Center in Rasht, Iran, in 2025, along with their parents, from whom 15 children were selected through convenience sampling and assigned to the experimental group. The research instruments were the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (Harrison & Oakland, 2015), as well as the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile (Wetherby & Prizant, 2002). The training program was implemented in ten 90-minute sessions for the parents of the experimental group. The findings were analyzed using a one-way repeated-measures MANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc test using SPSS software (version27).
Results: The results showed that this program had a significant effect on improving adaptive behavior and early social communication in toddlers with DS (p<0.05). The post-hoc test results also indicated the stability of the effects up to the follow-up stage.
Conclusion: Given the role of parents in children’s development and learning, a family-based early interaction intervention can help enrich everyday learning opportunities and promote developmental outcomes in toddlers with DS.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/07/15 | Accepted: 2026/09/1 | Published: 2026/11/10
Received: 2026/07/15 | Accepted: 2026/09/1 | Published: 2026/11/10
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
