Improving parent focused early intervention practices for a 0-36 month old child with hearing impairment through a collaborative consultation and routines based approach

The 0-36 month period is crucial for children with developmental disabilities. During these months, children should be supported in natural environments through their parents. Empowering parents has a strong impact on supporting children's development. Therefore, parents should be supported within a holistic counseling model based on their primary needs. This research aims to improve parent focused early intervention practices in a 0-36 month old child with hearing impairment through a collaborative consultation and routine based approach. The participants in this action research, conducted using an action research design, consisted of a 0-36 month old child with hearing impairment, the child's mother, the teacher at the special education and rehabilitation center the child attends, a psychologist, credibility members of the research, and the researcher. Data were collected through researcher journals, documents, field notes, observations, video recordings, unstructured and semi-structured interviews, meetings, questionnaires, scales, and checklists. Data from questionnaires, scales, and checklists were analyzed graphically, while all other data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive analysis methods. The research results show that collaborative consultation practices and a routine based approach support the professional development of the teacher; the study showed that parent-child interaction improved and the parent became psychologically stronger; the child's learning readiness skills, language and communication skills improved. Furthermore, the researcher, in their role as a service coordinator, made progress in team building, coordinating and sustaining interventions. The participants' ongoing needs highlight the need for early intervention services to be systematic and continuous. The findings were discussed in terms of similarities and differences with the literature; recommendations were developed for researchers, practitioners and policymakers.