Including a relationship-focus in paediatric occupational therapy interventions: Introducing the PAIR Model

The importance of parent-child relationships for child developmental outcomes suggests a need to incorporate a relationship focus into early intervention programs for children with developmental delays. 

Nevertheless, confusion exists about the definition and application of relationship-focussed interventions, and occupational therapists remain more developmentally- and child-focussed. 

There is a need to operationalize relationship-focussed interventions to make these approaches clinically accessible. This report defines, and provides a rationale for, including parent-child relationship-focussed interventions in early childhood occupational therapy interventions. 

A new conceptual model, the “Phased Approach to Incorporating a Relationship-focus” (PAIR), is detailed for consideration in pediatric therapy settings. The PAIR model can support professional education, inform practice, and guide future research regarding relationship-focussed interventions. 

Research is needed to test the usefulness of this model in occupational therapy practice.