Stepping Stones Cerebral Palsy Study: Optimising outcomes for children with Cerebral Palsy through a randomised controlled trial of a parenting intervention

INTERVENTION: There are two intervention conditions in this study. Participants in both intervention conditions will receive the behavioural family intervention Stepping Stones Triple P. This involves teaching parents how to manage behavioural difficulties, how to teach children new skills and behaviours, how to use assertive discipline and how to optimise their child's development. This will be conducted as a group program with 6 groups sessions of 2 hours duration and an additional 3 telelphone consultations of 30 minutes duration. One of the two intervention groups will also receive a parental stress management intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This intervention will target the following ACT processes: acceptance, cognitive defusion, mindfulness, values and committed action. The parental stress management intervention will consistent of 2 additional group sessions of 2 hours duration. CONDITION: Cerebral Palsy PRIMARY OUTCOME: Child behaviour as measured by the Eyberg Child Behaviour Inventory (ECBI) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Parenting Style as measured by the Parenting Scale SECONDARY OUTCOME: Degree of problems in performing disability related parenting practices as measured by the Cerebral Palsy Daily Parenting Tasks Checklist Dysfunctional parenting styles as measured by the Parenting Scale Functional performance as measured by the PEDI Parent‐reported child quality of life as measured by the CP QOL‐Child Parental adjustment as measured by the DASS Parental attitude to child emotions as measured by the PBANE Parental confidence in performing disability related parenting practices as measured by the Cerebral Palsy Daily Parenting Tasks Checklist Psychological flexibility as measured by the AAQ Child Disability version INCLUSION CRITERIA: Participants must be the parent (including step or guardian) of a child (2‐12 years of age) with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy (all motor functioning levels). In addition, parents must self‐identify with a reason for participating in a parenting intervention. This may include concerns about behavioural problems or a desire to optimise their child's development.