Autism Therapy: parent involvement

definition of parent involvement: not yet defined.

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Intensive Behavioural Intervention for Young Children with Autism: A Research-Based Service Model
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, by Hayward, DW, Gale CM, and Eikeseth S., published in 2009, summarized Aug 5, 2009

A successful early intensive behavioral therapy program includes parent involvement, different settings, and flexibility to meet the needs of individual children with autism. This paper describes the United Kingdom Young Autism Project (UK YAP), which follows the UCLA Model of ABA. The project sets up a service model for ABA therapy that includes parent training, therapist supervision, and progress checks to offer the best early ABA therapy possible based on scientific research. Research suggests that effective applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy includes intensive therapy for 30 or more hours per week, strong supervision of the therapy progress, and a plan that works to meet all of the needs of the child.


Parents’ Involvement in the Children’s Behavioral Intervention Programs: Parent and Therapist Perspectives
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, by Solish, A., and Perry A., published in 2008, summarized Dec 2, 2008

Therapy may be more effective if parents are involved. Parents become more involved if they understand the therapy.

The goal of this study was to find out why certain parents are involved in their children's early intervention plan and others are not. The study found that parents became involved if they felt that they: knew how to do the intervention, understood autism, and believed in the intervention. Parents also needed to feel that they were good at doing the therapy, and that their doing the therapy made a difference. The authors note that parents can be taught all of these things by the therapist. The authors suggest that therapists include parents in the therapy plan so that the children will have better results from the therapy.


Maternal Involvement in the Education of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism, by Benson, P., Karlof KL, and Siperstein GN, published in 2008, summarized Jun 24, 2008

Teachers and schools that encourage parent involvement are more likely to have involved parents and this may help children with autism.

Many of the things that a mother does for a child with autism are worked into the daily routine. This study looked to see what factors decide whether or not mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are active at their child's school. The study found that there is a wide range of activities that mothers do at school and the level of activity can vary a lot from mother to mother. Mothers who had social support were more likely to be active at school. If the child had very bad behavior then the mothers were less likely to be involved at school.


Applied Behaviour Analysis: Does Intervention Intensity Relate to Family Stressors and Maternal Well-being?
J. Intell. Disabil. Res., by Schwichtenberg, A., and Poehlmann J., published in 2007, summarized Feb 12, 2008

Mothers whose children with autism were getting applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy reported personal strain and depression symptoms.

This study was designed to look at how ABA therapy for children with autism affected their mother's mental health. ABA therapy can require parent involvement. Depression symptoms were greater for mothers of children with autism than for mothers of children with other developmental disabilities. Mothers whose children were getting ABA therapy reported fewer depression symptoms when their child was older, and when their child was getting more ABA therapy hours per week. However, mothers reported more personal strain when the mothers themselves were involved in the ABA therapy. The authors suggested that mothers seek support when their child is getting ABA therapy.


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Coordination of Therapies May Make Early Intervention More Effective

Sep 29, 2008

Lakes Region Community Services (LRCS) in New Hampshire understands the urgency of early intervention in the treatment of autism and other developmental delays. They begin a therapy plan as soon as a family contacts them. LRCS assesses each situation and provides appropriate treatment including hearing and vision therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. LRCS utilizes a team approach and coordinates intervention using an In-Home Support Specialist who works with the family so that therapy can continue at home and with as much parent involvement as possible.

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The Learning Game is an Educational Superstore

May 1, 2008

The Learning Game, in California, is also an online educational superstore. The store sells toys, books, and programs to teachers, schools, and parents for their children with autism and other disabilities. Scott and Tina Plautz, the husband and wife owners of the Learning Game say, "With the state's budget cuts in education . . . parents take on a larger role in ensuring that students have the necessary tools. It's the parent involvement that keep schools within Cupertino so strong."

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Parent Participation Crucial to LIFE Intervention

Mar 10, 2008

The Augusta Levy Learning Center, in West Virginia, uses the Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention (LIFE) as its model; one of its goals is to mainstream children with autism. LIFE works to increase the language skills, independent living skills, and social interaction skills of children with autism using applied behavior analysis (ABA). Key to this intervention is parent participation. "Parents are considered the most essential part of the child's educational team and are trained by Lovaas consultants to work alongside the child's therapists and to implement programs in the home." The carry-over from on-site therapies into the home environment ensures that the child receives consistent and ongoing therapy.

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Communication Works Specializes in Teaching Social Skills

Nov 15, 2007

Communication Works, in Oakland, CA, specializes in teaching social skills to children with autism. Although their primary focus is on increasing social skills or social language using therapy and parent involvement, they also work with school districts to provide speech therapy and early intervention services.

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