| 1. |
- Sarkadi, Anna, Professor, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Are We Ready to Really Hear the Voices of Those Concerned? : Lessons Learned from Listening to and Involving Children in Child and Family Psychology Research
- 2023
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Ingår i: Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review. - : Springer Nature. - 1096-4037 .- 1573-2827.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A changing view of children, accelerated by the Convention of the Rights of the Child (UN in Convention on the rights of the child, UN Doc. A/RES/44/25, 1989, http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/pdf/crc.pdf) has shifted the landscape of child and family research over the last few decades. Once viewed with low credibility and operating outside the interpretive framework of adult researchers, the rights-bearing child is increasingly recognized not only as having the capacity but also the right to participate in research. More recently, this movement has transitioned from the direct engagement of children as research participants—now considered commonplace, although less so for those who are structurally vulnerable—to the involvement of children in research design, review, conduct, and dissemination. Yet, both practical and ethical challenges remain. While children have the right to participation, they also have the right to protection. In this commentary, we set out to: (i) lay forth epistemic, child rights, and child sociology arguments for doing research about, with and by children and youth; (ii) recount our own journey of including children and youth in research to demonstrate the unique knowledge and insights gained through these approaches; and (iii) offer lessons learned on how to engage children and youth in research, including the involvement of structurally vulnerable groups.
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| 2. |
- Dahlberg, Anton, et al.
(författare)
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A higher proportion of children aged 4 years were referred to speech and language therapists after the introduction of a new language screening tool
- 2024
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Ingår i: Acta Paediatrica. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: Language difficulties in children can have enduring impacts on their academic and emotional well-being. Consequently, early identification and intervention are critical. This study aimed to investigate the impact of introducing Sprakfyran, a language screening tool, on the identification and referral rates for speech and language assessment compared to the previous method.Methods: An observational study was conducted in Gotland, Sweden, using the medical records of 3537 children (53% boys) who were 3-4 years of age. The study period lasted between 5 January 2016 and 29 April 2022, encompassing data collection both before and after the introduction of Sprakfyran.Results: Following the introduction of Sprakfyran, 15% failed the screening, compared to 20% with the previous speech test. However, referrals for assessment increased significantly with Sprakfyran, rising to 7% compared to 3% with the speech test.Conclusion: The proportion of children who failed the Sprakfyran screening was consistent with findings from previous studies. Children who failed the screening were more likely to be referred for speech and language assessment after the introduction of Sprakfyran. This indicates that Sprakfyran is a clinically relevant tool that promotes children's language development through increased referral rates.
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| 3. |
- Dahlberg, Anton, et al.
(författare)
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Implementation of the Infant-Toddler Checklist in Swedish child health services at 18 months : an observational study
- 2024
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Ingår i: BMJ Paediatrics Open. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2399-9772. ; 8:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Communication and language disorders are common conditions that emerge early and negatively impact quality of life across the life course. Early identification may be facilitated using a validated screening tool such as the Infant-Toddler Checklist (ITC). We introduced the ITC at the 18-month visit to child health services (CHS) in a Swedish county. Using the RE-AIM implementation framework, this study assessed the implementation of the ITC according to five key dimensions: reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance.Methods This observational study used medical records at CHS as data source. Data were collected from children who visited a child health nurse at 17–22 months. The sample included 2633 children with a mean age of 17.8 months, 1717 in the pre-implementation group and 916 in the post implementation group. We calculated the ITC completion rate (reach) and use at each site (adoption). We compared rates of referral to speech and language therapy (effectiveness) before and after implementation of the ITC using OR and 95% CIs. We described actions to facilitate implementation and maintenance of ITC screening over time.Results The overall screening rate was 93% (reach) which increased from 80% initially to 94% at the end of the 2-year period (maintenance). All centres used the ITC (adoption). The ITC screen positive rate was 14%. Of children who had reached at least 24 months (n=2367), referral rate was 0.4% pre-implementation versus 6.9% post implementation (OR=18.17, 95% CI 8.15, 40.51, p<0.001) (effectiveness). Implementation strategies included training sessions, collaboration, written and automatic procedures and modifications to the medical records system.Conclusion The implementation of the ITC was associated with high reach, higher referral rate, complete adoption, and sustained maintenance over time.
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| 4. |
- Fäldt, Anna, 1975-, et al.
(författare)
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Experiences of children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden : a qualitative interview study
- 2022
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Ingår i: BMJ Paediatrics Open. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2399-9772. ; 6:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disabilities has been described as a 'triple jeopardy'. Not only have they experienced the negative social impacts of disease control measures, but access to required health services has been affected, and, not least, they are at increased risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. This study aimed to determine how children with disabilities have experienced the pandemic in Sweden and its impact on their lives.METHODS: Six children (5-13 years) were interviewed via video conferencing. An interview guide was adapted based on the children's communicative abilities and included augmentative and alternative communication support. Reflective field notes were included in the analysis. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.RESULTS: Two themes were identified: The child's knowledge of Corona raises anxiety and fear; and Boring Corona makes the child even lonelier. The children had knowledge about and were worried about COVID-19, primarily about illness and death of their grandparents. The children longed for their grandparents and other social contacts at school, and life was described as boring and lonely. Many families lacked adequate tools to communicate with their children about the pandemic.CONCLUSION: Given adequate support, children with disabilities and communication difficulties can give insights to their unique life situations. The interviewed children reported significant impact on their life and school life. Children were worried about their grandparents based on their knowledge about the virus. The enthusiasm with which the children engaged in the interviews is testament to the need and right of all children, regardless of communicative competence, to voice their experiences.
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| 5. |
- Sarkadi, Anna, Professor, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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An Integrated Care Strategy for Pre-schoolers with Suspected Developmental Disorders : The Optimus Co-design Project that has Made it to Regular Care
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Journal of Integrated Care. - : Ubiquity Press. - 1568-4156. ; 21:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Multiple neurodevelopmental problems affect 7-8% of children and require evaluation by more than one profession, posing a challenge to care systems.Description: The local problem comprised distressed parents, diagnostic processes averaging 36 months and 28 visits with 42% of children >4 years at referral to adequate services, and no routines for patient involvement. The co-design project was developed through a series of workshops using standard quality improvement methodology, where representatives of all services, as well as parents participated. The resulting integrated care model comprises a team of professionals who evaluate the child during an average of 5.4 appointments (N = 95), taking 4.8 weeks. Parents were satisfied with the holistic service model and 70% of children were under 4 at referral (p < 0.05). While 75% of children were referred, 25% required further follow-up by the team.Discussion: The Optimus model has elements of vertical, clinical and service integration. Reasons for success included leadership support, buy-in from the different organisations, careful process management, a team co-ordinator, and insistent user involvement.Conclusion: Evaluating multiple neurodevelopmental problems in children requires an integrated care approach. The Optimus care model is a relevant showcase for how people-initiated integrated care reforms can make it into usual care.
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| 6. |
- Wennergren, Mattias, 1993, et al.
(författare)
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Swedish Child Health Services Register: a quality register for child health services and children's well-being.
- 2023
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Ingår i: BMJ paediatrics open. - : BMJ. - 2399-9772. ; 7:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Swedish child health services (CHS) is a free-of-charge healthcare system that reaches almost all children under the age of 6. The aim for the CHS is to improve children's physical, psychological and social health by promoting health and development, preventing illness and detecting emerging problems early in the child's life. The services are defined in a national programme divided into three parts: universal interventions, targeted interventions and indicated interventions.The Swedish Child Health Services Register (BHVQ) is a national Quality Register developed in 2013. The register extracts data from the child's health record and automatically presents current data in real time. At present, the register includes 21 variables.We aim to describe data available in the BHVQ and the completeness of data in BHVQ across variables.Child-specific data were exported from the register, and data for children born in the regions were retrieved from Statistics Sweden to calculate coverage.The register includes over 110000 children born between 2011 and 2022 from 221 child healthcare centres in eight of Sweden's 21 regions. In seven of the eight regions, 100% of centres report data.The completeness of data differs between participating regions and birth cohorts. The average coverage for children born in 2021 is 71%.The BHVQ is a valuable resource for evaluating Child Health Services nationally, with high coverage for the youngest children. As a result of continuous improvement of the services, the possibility to follow the development of children's health in Sweden is possible through the register. When fully expanded, the register will be a natural and essential part of developing preventive services, improving healthcare for children below 6years of age and a tool for developing evidence-based child health interventions.
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| 7. |
- Fäldt, Anna, 1975-, et al.
(författare)
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Family and child health centre characteristics associated with exposure to universal language and literacy promotion
- 2023
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Ingår i: Child Language Teaching and Therapy. - : Sage Publications. - 0265-6590 .- 1477-0865. ; 39:1, s. 5-15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: This study investigated which specific socio-demographic characteristics of the family and child health service centre are associated with parents receiving a video guide. The video guide, intended to be offered universally, aimed at promoting language and literacy development.Methods: The video guide included language and literacy activities and was offered through child healthcare centres to all visiting families. Cross-sectional data were collected during three years through parental self-reported questionnaires when the children were three years old, and families of 2512 children were included.Results: In 60% of the families, none of the parents reported receiving the video guide, and in 84%, none of the parents reported that they had watched the video guide. Most of the parents who watched the video guide reported having tried the presented activities. Socio-demographic characteristics associated with parents having received the video guide were: being married or cohabiting, having a university education, or if the mother was native-born. The child's age when the video guide was initially offered and the child's birth order were also factors associated with parents having received the video guide.Conclusions: The results indicate that few parents overall received the video guide. Socio-economically advantaged parents seemed to have received the video guide to a higher extent.
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| 8. |
- Fäldt, Anna, 1975-, et al.
(författare)
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Family-Based Intervention for Substance Using Parents : Experiences and Resource Use
- 2023
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Ingår i: Research on social work practice. - : Sage Publications. - 1049-7315 .- 1552-7581. ; 33:7, s. 810-821
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The study aimed to assess families? resource use and to explore parents? experiences of the Sofia model, a family-based intervention for parents with substance use disorder (SUD). Methods: Interviews were conducted with 14 parents. Data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. The resource use assessment was estimated based on data for 40 families referred to the Sofia model and 30 reference families. Results: Parents described difficulties accessing family support and differences in received services in the Sofia model. The intervention lacked focus on the children. Families? communication regarding substance use did not increase. Resource use estimations indicated larger use of services by families in the Sofie model, but little co-parent and child-specific support. Conclusions: The intervention failed its aim to focus on the children, and enhance communication about SUD. Parents voiced a need for more long-term comprehensive support for their children and themselves.
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| 9. |
- Fäldt, Anna, 1975-, et al.
(författare)
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Increased incidence of overweight and obesity among preschool Swedish children during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2022
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Ingår i: European Journal of Public Health. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1101-1262 .- 1464-360X.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had wide effects on child health globally. Increased prevalence of childhood obesity has been observed by a number of countries during the pandemic. The absence of a formal societal lockdown during the pandemic, made Sweden stand out compared to other countries. This study aims to examine changes in BMI among preschool children in Sweden before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Retrospective population-based cross-sectional study, with longitudinal follow-up for a portion of the children. The study included 25 049 children from three Swedish regions, with growth measures at 3- (n = 16 237), 4- (n = 14 437) and 5-years of age (n = 11 711). Care Need Index was used as a socioeconomic parameter at health centre level. Results There was an increase in BMI in children aged three (P = 0.028) and four (P<0.001) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Obesity in 3-year-old girls increased from 2.8% to 3.9%. Four-year-olds increased in obesity, and overweight (girls) and the prevalence of underweight decreased in boys. No change in BMI was observed in 5-year-olds. Children in areas of low socioeconomic status had higher risk of obesity. Conclusions Overweight and obesity increased among 3- and 4-year-old children in Sweden, findings that were accentuated in children attending child health centres in areas with lower socioeconomic status. The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have affected health behaviours negatively in Swedish preschool children. Our results expose the need for extended efforts directed to prevent childhood obesity, especially targeting lower socioeconomic areas.
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| 10. |
- Nordlund, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
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"They aren't waiting for an SLP, they think 'what can I as a parent do now?'" : course leaders' perceptions of AAC interventions targeting parents
- 2023
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Ingår i: Augmentative and Alternative Communication. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0743-4618 .- 1477-3848. ; 39:4, s. 282-292
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Parental interventions can help parents use strategies to support their child's language and communication development. The ComAlong courses are parental interventions that focus on responsive communication, enhanced milieu teaching, and augmentative and alternative communication. This interview study aimed to investigate the course leaders' perceptions of the three ComAlong courses, ComAlong Habilitation, ComAlong Developmental Language Disorder, and ComAlong Toddler, and to evaluate their experiences of the implementation of the courses. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Thereafter, three categories resulted from the findings: Impact on the Family, A Great Course Concept, and Accessibility of the Courses. The results indicate that participants perceived that the courses had positive effects on both parents and themself. Furthermore, it was described that parents gained knowledge about communication and strategies in how to develop their child's communication; however, the courses were not accessible to all parents. The collaboration between the parents and course leaders improved, and course leaders viewed the courses as an important part of their work. The following factors had an impact on the implementation: several course leaders in the same workplace, support from colleagues and management, and recruitment of parents to the courses.
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