Development and Pilot of the Caregiver Strategies Inventory.
Children with autism spectrum disorder often demonstrate unusual behavioral responses to sensory stimuli (i.e., sensory features). To manage everyday activities, caregivers may implement strategies to address these features during family routines. However, investigation of specific strategies used by caregivers is limited by the lack of empirically developed measures. In this study, we describe the development and pilot results of the Caregiver Strategies Inventory (CSI), a supplement to the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire Version 3.0 (SEQ 3.0; Baranek, 2009) that measures caregivers' strategies in response to their children's sensory features. Three conceptually derived and empirically grounded strategy types were tested: cognitive-behavioral, sensory-perceptual, and avoidance. Results indicated that the CSI demonstrated good internal consistency and that strategy use was related to child age and cognition. Moreover, parent feedback after completing the CSI supported its utility and social validity. The CSI may be used alongside the SEQ 3.0 to facilitate a family-centered approach to assessment and intervention planning.
Anne V. Kirby, PhD, OTR/L, was Doctoral Candidate, Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, at the time of the study. She is now Assistant Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City; avkirby@gmail.com.
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Kirby
Lauren M. Little, PhD, OTR/L, was Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, at the time of the study. She is now Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy Education, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.
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Beth Schultz, MS, OTR/L, was Project Coordinator, Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, at the time of the study.
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Linda R. Watson, EdD, CCC-SLP, is Professor, Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Wanqing Zhang, PhD, MD, is Assistant Professor and Research Methodologist, Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Grace T. Baranek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor, Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, and Associate Chair for Research, Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Baranek
D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires