Effectiveness of Training Parents to Teach Joint Attention in Children With Autism

Abstract

Young children with autism have deficits in initiating and responding to joint attention bids. This study was designed to examine a parent-implemented intervention targeting joint attention responding in children with autism. Parents were trained to increase their joint attention bids using behavior analytic techniques to facilitate appropriate responding. Parents effectively employed joint attention intervention techniques. As parent joint attention bids increased, children's responses increased. Children's joint attention initiations also increased, even though they were not direct targets of intervention. Findings suggest that parent behaviors during and after intervention impact generalization and maintenance of behavior changes. Implications for practice and future investigations are discussed.