Parents Doing Therapy, Is It Effective?

Parent Implemented Early Intervention For Young Children With Autism
Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.

McConachie H, . Diggle T.
Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, School of Clinical Medical Sciences,
Child Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, UK.

Background Recent estimates concerning the prevalence of autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) suggest that at least one in 200 children is
affected. This group of children and families have important service needs.
The involvement of parents in implementing intervention strategies designed
to help their autistic children has long been accepted as helpful. The
potential benefits are increased skills and reduced stress for parents as
well as children.

Methods
This research review focused on interventions for children aged 1-6
years, and was carried out using systematic methodology: a comprehensive
search of psychological, educational and biomedical databases, as well as
bibliographies and reference lists of key articles, contact with experts in
the field, and hand search of key journals. Only studies which involved a
concurrent element of control were included.

Results
The review found very few studies that had adequate research design
from which to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of parent-implemented
early intervention. Both randomized and controlled studies tended to suggest
that parent training leads to improved child communicative behaviour,
increased maternal knowledge of autism, enhanced maternal communication
style and parent child interaction, and reduced maternal depression.

Conclusion
It seems that parent training can successfully contribute to
intervention for young children with ASD. However, the review highlights the
need for improved research in this area.
PMID: 17286734 [PubMed - in process]

In my own experience, the kids that are doing well have parents that carryover their child's therapy goals at home. Many parents become proficient at certain therapies by reading materials on the subject. Some get training, even degrees later on. For PubMed and other links to clnical journals and media, go to my Resource page.