ERIC Number: EJ1085538
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Jan
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Feasibility of an Empirically Based Program for Parents of Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Dababnah, Sarah; Parish, Susan L.
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v20 n1 p85-95 Jan 2016
This article reports on the feasibility of implementing an existing empirically based program, "The Incredible Years," tailored to parents of young children with autism spectrum disorder. Parents raising preschool-aged children (aged 3-6?years) with autism spectrum disorder (N?=?17) participated in a 15-week pilot trial of the intervention. Quantitative assessments of the program revealed fidelity was generally maintained, with the exception of program-specific videos. Qualitative data from individual post-intervention interviews reported parents benefited most from child emotion regulation strategies, play-based child behavior skills, parent stress management, social support, and visual resources. More work is needed to further refine the program to address parent self-care, partner relationships, and the diverse behavioral and communication challenges of children across the autism spectrum. Furthermore, parent access and retention could potentially be increased by providing in-home childcare vouchers and a range of times and locations in which to offer the program. The findings suggest "The Incredible Years" is a feasible intervention for parents seeking additional support for child- and family-related challenges and offers guidance to those communities currently using "The Incredible Years" or other related parenting programs with families of children with autism spectrum disorder.
Descriptors: Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Preschool Children, Parents, Parent Education, Feasibility Studies, Intervention, Mixed Methods Research, Program Effectiveness, Fidelity, Check Lists, Semi Structured Interviews
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Health Resources and Services Administration (DHHS), Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: T19MC00007