This article describes Relationship Focused Intervention (RFI) which attempts topromote the development of young children with developmental delays anddisabilities by encouraging parents to engage in highly responsive interactionsduring daily routines with their children. This approach to intervention is based uponthe Parenting Model of child development and was derived from research on parentchild interaction. Evidence is presented that RFI can be effective both at helpingparents to learn how to interact more responsively with their children as well as atpromoting childrens development and social emotional function. The argument ismade, that although there is no research comparing the effectiveness of RFI tointerventions derived from the Educational model of child development which placesless emphasis on parent involvement and stresses direct instructional activities, stillthe effectiveness of all interventions appears to be related to the degree to whichparents are involved in and become more responsive with their children. As such RFImay not simple be an alternative model for early intervention, but may reflect aparadigm shift pointing to the effectiveness of parent involvement and responsiveinteraction as key elements of early intervention practice

Relationship focused intervention, developmental delays and disabilities, parents, young children.