title: Riding the rapids: living with autism or disability--an evaluation of a parenting support intervention for parents of disabled children.
abstract: Evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to support parents of disabled children to manage their child's behaviour problems is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate a group-delivered intervention (Riding the Rapids) which was specifically developed for parents of a child with a disability or autistic spectrum condition. This programme has been routinely delivered by a community-based mental health team across an urban, multi-ethnic locality for a number of years. A non-randomised controlled study design comprising an intervention group (n=48) and comparator (no intervention) group (n=28) was used to evaluate the effects of the intervention on child behaviour (Eyberg Child Behaviour Inventory; parent-set goals) and parenting efficacy and satisfaction (Parents Sense of Competence Scale) at post-intervention and six-month follow-up. Data on costs to the service provider of delivering the intervention were also collected. Receipt of the intervention was associated with significant reductions in parent-reported behaviour problems and significant improvements in parenting efficacy and satisfaction. At six-month follow-up, progress towards achieving parent-set child behaviour goals and parenting satisfaction had been maintained. Post hoc analysis suggests parents who do not have English as a first language may not benefit as much as other parents from this intervention. Findings suggest this is a promising intervention for parents of a child with a disability that is likely to be less resource intensive to service providers than individually delivered interventions. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
authors: Social Policy Research Unit, University of York, York, UK. Electronic address: lucy.stuttard@york.ac.uk.
authors: Lucy
authors: L
authors: Stuttard
authors: Social Policy Research Unit, University of York, York, UK.
authors: Bryony
authors: B
authors: Beresford
authors: Social Policy Research Unit, University of York, York, UK.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Clarke
authors: Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Beecham
authors: Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Todd
authors: Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
authors: Jo
authors: J
authors: Bromley
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D004505:Education, Nonprofessional / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Autism; Behaviour problems; Disability; Early intervention; Parent-training programme; Prevention