Parenting Young Children (PYC) for parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities: parents’ experiences of the support program’s methodology

Abstract

Background: Research on how parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities perceive the Parenting Young Children (PTC) support program for the development of parenting skills is scarce. The study explored parents’ experiences of PYC’s methodology. Method: Interviews were conducted with 15 Swedish parents (8 mothers, 7 fathers) at risk for child neglect who had received PYC for 6 months or longer. The interviews were analysed with reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Two main themes, with six subthemes, were identified: “Developing a trusting relationship with the PYC practitioner” and “Tailored support, planning, and training in collaboration.” One overarching theme was also created: “The PYC methodology facilitates learning of parenting skills through a trusting and collaborative process guided by adapted support.” Conclusion: Parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities perceived the PYC methodology as helpful and well-adapted. The study highlights that learning parenting skills can be facilitated by a collaborative and tailored approach using behavioural teaching strategies.