Présentation de Poster au SSECR 2026 - Supporting Families of young children with educational special Needs in early stage: Insights from from E-PATS Programm adaptation in Geneva
Supporting Families of young children with educational special Needs in early stage: Insights from from E-PATS Programm adaptation in Geneva
Chatenoud Céline1, Millau Marie1, Caldognetto-Giovannini Cristina2, Laverriere Céline4, Nogueira Lara3, Schlegelmilch Lara4
1Université de Genève, Switzerland; 2Astural , Service Educatif Itinerant, Genève, Switzerland; 3Fondation Ensemble, Genève, Switzerland; 4Fondation 022 familles
Supporting families with children who have special needs from early start is crucial to preventing difficulties and addressing the vulnerabilities these families face (Boulé & al, 2025; Gore & al., 2022). Programs such as parent-mediated interventions can improve family well-being by empowering parents, strengthening their competencies, reducing anxiety, and fostering supportive communities. From this perspective the Early Positive Approaches to Support (E-PAtS) program was implemented in Geneva. E-PAtS is an innovative initiative, distinguished by its co-facilitation model in which a parent and a professional share equal roles and perspectives. The professional facilitator may be any specialist working in the field of early childhood, making E-Pats a multidisciplinary program. Structured around eight group sessions and supported by research, E-PAtS provides support at strengthening family resilience and well-being. Specifically, E-PAtS provides information regarding communication, sleep, and behavior, as well as advice on how parents can take care of themselves.
This communication will present preliminary outcomes of the program on 15 families who participated in spring and fall 2025, using both quantitative and qualitative data as gathering in interviews pre and post.
Early findings show reduced anxiety among parents and high level of satisfaction. Qualitative data provides deeper insights into key factors, especially the sense of being understood,and supported by others as sens of belonging.
The aim of this poster is to highlight the project’s impact on families, and to open a discussion on future directions for collaborative and participatory initiatives in the field of early childhood in Geneva.