A COMPETENCE-BASED TRAINING-PROGRAM IN EARLY INTERVENTION

This paper describes a federally funded training program developed to prepare entry-level occupational therapists to deliver early intervent ion services. The program had two phases. Phase I was designed to prov ide occupational therapy supervisors with advanced skills for supervis ing and teaching the students about the provision of early interventio n services. These skills were specific supervisory strategies and lear ning techniques designed to facilitate optimal communication between t he student, the supervisor, and the academic faculty members, as well as to facilitate consistency of information between workshops and prac tices in the clinic. Phase II involved a 12-week clinical fieldwork ex perience for the students in an early intervention program combined wi th didactic programs at the university. Both supervisors and students provided feedback on the program. Supervisors reported that the traini ng strengthened their supervisory skills and techniques. Students repo rted that the training helped them to clarify the role of occupational therapy in early intervention and that they had developed skills crit ical to providing family-centered early intervention. These skills inc luded both providing direct treatment to children and working in partn ership with families and caregivers.