title: Evaluating in-home training for fathers of children with autism using single-subject experimentation and group analysis methods.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autism, or the broader category of autistic spectrum disorder, is a complex developmental disability with uncertain etiologies that appears to be increasing in prevalence. Researchers have stated that training programs for children with autism are most effective when they are individualized, address communicative intent of child behaviors, and promote social reciprocity between children and individuals with whom they have regular contact. Yet, to date, most of what is known comes solely from studying mothers, who have traditionally been the most accessible parent.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study the mother-child in-home training program was modified and evaluated for its effects on the acquisition of training skills by fathers and on precommunication skills by the autistic children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frequency counts of skills taught to fathers and targeted child behaviors were obtained from videotaped father-child play sessions. These data were analyzed for each father-child dyad by using graphs and visual analyses, which are integral parts of single-participant experimentation. This procedure was replicated across all of the father-child dyads. Data were then grouped and analyzed using the more traditional repeated measures analysis of variance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most significant findings were increases in father use of imitating with animation (p < .0001) and child initiating following training (p < .0004). Also noteworthy were significant increases in father responding (p < .0005) and child vocalizations (p < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of the study indicate that the in-home training for fathers of children with autism was effective and valued by the participating families.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville, USA. elderjh@nursing.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Elder
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valcante
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yarandi
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Timothy H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Elder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D010988:Play and Playthings; D015397:Program Evaluation