P02.24. Reducing stress and cultivating well being in educators and parents with special needs children: effects of a mindfulness training program

Purpose Parents and teachers of children with developmental challenges and special learning needs face unique socialemotional challenges in caregiving. Stress associated with their roles has been shown to impact parents’ and special educators’ health and well-being, as well as the quality of their parenting and teaching. In this paper, we report results of a pilot study conducted to investigate the efficacy of mindfulness based training program (MT) in facilitating improvement in caregiver mental health. Using a RCT waitlist design, 70 parents and educators of children with special needs were randomized to participate in a 9 session, 36 hour group-based MT program called SMART (Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques). This program, based on MBSR, included content on emotion theory and regulation, forgiveness and compassion, and application practices specific to caregiving/teaching.