Outcomes 101: ECO Q&A
return to Q&A HomeQ. What are child and family outcomes?
A. An outcome is a benefit experienced as a result of services and supports provided for a child or family. The fact that a service has been provided does not mean that an outcome has been achieved. Likewise, an outcome is not the same as satisfaction with the services received. The impact that those services and supports have on the functioning of children and families constitutes the outcome. Consider the example of an autistic child working with a therapist to increase his communication skills (receiving a service). If that child learns words he can use to convey his needs to others, then he has achieved an outcome. Similarly, a family may receive information about their child's disability (the service provided), but if the information enables them to assist in their child's learning and development more effectively, then the family has achieved an outcome.