Editorial: Parenting as an influence on the course of neurodevelopmental conditions – still a taboo topic?

Abstract

Since the debate surrounding controversial theories, such as the refrigerator mother theory, the influence of parenting on the course of neurodevelopmental conditions has been a taboo topic for many years. However, recent research analyzing the complex interplay between genetics and the environment has introduced new approaches to examining the role of parenting. Several articles in this issue examine the new directions in the field of parenting and parent–child interactions. A key shift in perspective is the recognition that the relationship between parenting and child development is not unidirectional. Instead, the child's characteristics may also influence parental responses (evocative gene–environment), which in turn can shape the child's developmental trajectory. Moreover, parent–child interactions are not restricted to mother–child dyads, but also involve fathers and triadic interactions between both parents and the child. Experiences within these interactions are likely to transfer to other contexts, contributing to the child's language and social development. A better understanding of the time course and the mechanisms underlying parent–child interactions will enhance the design of interventions targeting parenting behavior. Although caregiver-mediated interventions have proven effective, they must take caregivers' skills into account and may need to incorporate alternative support systems beyond primary caregivers.