Objective: To compare the effect of the programs of IAHP and FHC with ordinary community-based programs.
Method: Two-year observational study of two groups of children aged 2-15 years who were following the IAHP and FHC programs (N = 18) or community-based programs (N = 17), with additional material from interviews with parents, and a retrospective study (N = 9) based on file records and parent interviews.
Results: Changes in motor and cognitive function, language and behavior in the IAHP/FHC group well below the claims made by these programs, and few differences between this group and the comparison group. Intervention satisfaction lower prior to IAHP/FHC intervention than in the comparison group, and increased when moved to IAHP and FHC, independent of the children's progress.
Conclusion: The substantial claims of superiority compared to other interventions made by IAHP and FHC are not supported, but parents appear to be met in a positive manner in these programs.