Differential DNA Methylation as a Function of a Parenting Intervention

Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) is a 10-session, weekly intervention delivered in the family's home. ABC addresses three primary issues. First, young children who have experienced early adversity are especially in need of nurturance and parents who behave in synchronous ways and delight in them. Next, when parents behave in frightening ways, it is difficult for children to look to them for reassurance when distressed. This can be particularly difficult for children who have experienced early adversity. Therefore, this intervention helps parents learn how to: 1) behave in nurturing ways when children are distressed; 2) behave in synchronous, delighted ways when children are not distressed; and 3) avoid behaving in frightening or intrusive ways. Interventionists are provided with a manualized protocol, but tailor specific session content to each family's needs. Sessions are videotaped, both for playback to families, and for supervision.

Developmental Education for Families (DEF) is a 10-session, weekly intervention delivered in the family's home. DEF focuses on enhancing gross and fine motor skills, cognition and language development. The age-based protocols (i.e., 6-24 months,) provide information about the developmental themes of focus for each week and suggest activities to enhance the target skills for that week. However, the protocols do not provide a direct script with which to conduct the sessions. Interventionists tailor the developmental program session to the needs of the child and family by considering the child's current gross, fine, cognitive and language skills and creatively preparing several activities that will address the session topics.