title: Feasibility of an empirically based program for parents of preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, USA sdababnah@ssw.umaryland.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dababnah
authors.affiliation: Brandeis University, USA.
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Parish
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology
keywords: The Incredible Years; autism spectrum disorder; early intervention; family functioning and support; interventions—psychosocial/behavioral; parent stress; parent training; preschool children