Family Hope Center
Published February 2018
Download the full evidence summary PDF: Family Hope Center
What were we asked?
Two parent carers asked about the evidence for Family Hope Center (FHC) programmes. One has a child with cerebral palsy and wanted to know whether FHC might help to improve her child’s independence in the future. The second parent carer has a child with learning difficulty and hypotonia (weak muscles) and wanted to know whether the FHC treatment is effective for improving speech and movement.
Key findings
- Family Hope Center is a commercial American company that provides therapy for parents of children and young people with neurodisability. Family Hope Center staff travel to the UK periodically to hold seminars for parents, offer assessments and recommend treatment for children and young people.
- The therapy involves a training programme for parents to follow with their children. Typically, this therapy aims to improve speech, movement, and/or learning. Treatment recommended is different for each child.
- We did not find evidence from rigorous research that the Family Hope Center programme is effective for improving speech, movement, or independence in children or young people with neurodisability beyond what would be expected due to development or recovery from brain injury alone, or with standard therapy.
- Family Hope Center therapy programmes are not delivered by staff regulated by the General Medical Council or Health and Care Professions Council in the UK.