The Changing Lives Initiative is a multicomponent intervention for parents with a child between 3 and 7 years demonstrating behaviours consistent with an attention deficit hyperactivity diagnosis (ADHD). The components include information and awareness sessions for interested parents, a phone app, and access to ADHD screening. The parents of eligible children also attend a 26-week ADHD-focused version of the Incredible Years intervention, delivered by two early years practitioners and one psychologist to groups of up to 12 parents.
The information above is as offered/supported by the intervention provider.
3 to 7 years old
Group
The Changing Lives Initiative is a multicomponent intervention for parents with a 3- to 7-year old child demonstrating behaviours consistent with an attention deficit hyperactivity diagnosis (ADHD). It is delivered in community settings and aims to reduce ADHD symptoms and other emotional and conduct problems in children.
The ADHD-focused intervention consists of the Incredible Years Basic Parent Training Programme, extended to support the needs of parents with a child diagnosed with ADHD and incorporating elements of the Incredible Years Advanced intervention as well. Parents attend 26 2.5-hour weekly group sessions, delivered by two intervention facilitators to approximately 12 parents per group.
3 to 7 years
Disclaimer: The information in this section is as offered/supported by the intervention provider.
Science-based assumption
ADHD is a common developmental disorder impacting children’s behaviour and ability to concentrate
Symptoms of ADHD can negatively impact children’s success at school and relationship with others.
Science-based assumption
Effective parenting behaviours can help children with ADHD better manage their behaviour and concentrate better at school.
Science-based assumption
Parents with a child diagnosed with ADHD frequently benefit from further support.
Intervention
Parents learn:
How ADHD symptoms impact children’s behaviour
How to respond positively to their child’s behaviour
Strategies for reinforcing positive child behaviour
Strategies for helping children manage their emotions
Strategies for helping children control their impulses
Methods for helping children concentrate for longer periods of time.
Short-term
Parental stress reduces
Parent–child interaction improves
Children are better able to manage their emotions and impulses.
Medium-term
Children’s self-regulatory capabilities and behaviour improves
Children are better able to engage positively with others.
Long-term
Children are at less risk of antisocial behaviour in adolescence
Children experience greater success at school.
Families with a child between 3 and 7 years old where the child has an ADHD diagnosis or symptoms consistent with ADHD.
Changing Lives Initiative involves multiple components that include a 20- to 22-week ADHD-focussed version of the Incredible Years BASIC + ADVANCED intervention groups of up to 12 parents. This can be delivered in person, but has also been developed to reach families online.
Component 1 involves one information and awareness session of 2 hours’ duration delivered to groups of 20 parents. This can be delivered online or in person.
Component 2 is an awareness session to increase practitioners’ awareness of ADHD and strategies for managing ADHD related behaviours. These sessions are delivered by a psychologist and last between 2 and 2.5 hours each. This can be delivered online or in person to groups of up to 20 practitioners.
Component 3 is a phone app reinforcing the information provided at the workshops. The app is available for parents and practitioners regardless of whether they attended the workshop.
Component 4 is a one-session screening programme of 45 minutes’ duration delivered to groups of five parents.
Component 5 is a 20-session ADHD-focused Incredible Years Parent Training Programme of 2.5 hours’ duration each, delivered to groups of 12 parents. The Parenting Programme empowers parents to support children’s academic and social skills, emotional self-regulation, and to reduce conduct problems. The information sessions increase parents’ understanding of ADHD and how it impacts the development of children. Delivery methods for the programme include group discussion, role-play, homework assignments, and use of video vignette.
The practitioners who deliver this are two early years practitioners, and a clinical or educational psychologist.
The early years practitioners receive 35 hours of intervention-specific training, including Incredible Years Group Leader training and ideally accreditation. The psychologist should have seven hours of intervention-specific training. Booster training of practitioners is not required.
It is recommended that practitioners are supervised by six hours of clinical supervision.
Intervention fidelity is maintained through the following processes:
Contact person: Christina Riordan
Organisation: Changing Lives Initiative
Email address: criordan@archways.ie
Website: https://changinglivesinitiative.com/
*Please note that this information may not be up to date. In this case, please visit the listed intervention website for up to date contact details.
Changing Lives Initiative’s most rigorous evidence comes from a pre–post study conducted in the Republic of Ireland that is consistent with Foundations’ Level 2 evidence strength criteria.
This study identified statistically significant improvements in parents’ reports of their children’s behaviour and emotional wellbeing. Additionally, parents reported improvements in their parenting behaviours and experiences of stress over the same period. There was no comparison group, however.
The Changing Lives Initiative has preliminary evidence of improving a child outcome, but we cannot be confident that the intervention caused the improvement.
| Identified in search | 5 |
| Studies reviewed | 1 |
| Meeting the L2 threshold | 1 |
| Meeting the L3 threshold | 0 |
| Contributing to the L4 threshold | 0 |
| Ineligible | 4 |
| Study design | Pre–post study |
| Country | Ireland |
| Sample characteristics | 269 children with ADHD symptoms or diagnosis |
| Race, ethnicities, and nationalities | Not reported |
| Population risk factors | ADHD diagnosis or symptoms consistent with ADHD |
| Timing |
|
| Child outcomes | At post-intervention
|
| Other outcomes |
|
| Study rating | 2 |
| Citations | The Changing Lives Consortium. (2021) Final report on outcomes, process and economic evaluations. |
The following studies were identified for this intervention but did not count towards the intervention’s overall evidence rating. An intervention receives the same rating as its most robust study or studies.
Azevedo, A. F., Seabra-Santos, M. J., Gaspar, M. F. & Homem, T. (2014) A parent-based intervention programme involving preschoolers with AD/HD behaviours: Are children’s and mothers’ effects sustained over time? European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 23, 437–450.
Jones, K., Daley, D., Hutchings, J., Bywater, T. & Eames, C. (2007) Efficacy of the Incredible Years Basic parent training programme as an early intervention for children with conduct problems and ADHD. Child: Care, Health and Development. 33 (6), 749–756.
Jones, K., Daley, D., Hutchings, J., Bywater, T. & Eames, C. (2008) Efficacy of the Incredible Years Programme as an early intervention for children with conduct problems and ADHD: Long‐term follow‐up. Child: Care, Health and Development. 34 (3), 380–390.
Webster-Stratton, C., Reid, M. J. & Beauchaine, T. P. (2013) One-year follow-up of combined parent and child intervention for young children with ADHD. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. 42 (2), 251–261.
Note on provider involvement: This provider has agreed to Foundations’ terms of reference (or the Early Intervention Foundation's terms of reference), and the assessment has been conducted and published with the full cooperation of the intervention provider.
Rated 1: Set up and delivery is low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of less than £100.
Rated 2: Set up and delivery is medium-low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £100–£499.
Rated 3: Set up and delivery is medium cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £500–£999.
Rated 4: Set up and delivery is medium-high cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £1,000–£2,000.
Rating 5: Set up and delivery is high cost. Equivalent to an estimated unit cost of more than £2,000.
Set up and delivery cost is not applicable, not available, or has not been calculated.
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Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing child maltreatment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Enhancing school achievement & employment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing crime, violence and antisocial behaviour: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing substance abuse: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing risky sexual behaviour & teen pregnancy: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing obesity and promoting healthy physical development: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Rated 2: Has preliminary evidence of improving a child outcome from a quantitative impact study, but there is not yet evidence of causal impact.
Rated 2+: Meets the level 2 rating and the best available evidence is based on a study which is more rigorous than a level 2 standard but does not meet the level 3 standard.
Rated 3: Has evidence of a short-term positive impact from at least one rigorous study.
Rated 3+: Meets the level 3 rating and has evidence from other studies with a comparison group at level 2 or higher.
Rated 4: Has evidence of a long-term positive impact through at least two rigorous studies.
Rated 4+: Meets the level 4 rating and has at least a third study contributing to the Level 4 rating, with at least one of the studies conducted independently of the intervention provider.
Rating has a *: The evidence base includes mixed findings i.e., studies suggesting positive impact alongside studies, which on balance, indicate no effect or negative impact.
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