Non‐violent resistance parent training for the parents of young adults with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

AbstractA ‘dependence trap’ between parents and young adults with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HF‐ASD) develops when parents accommodate to the needs of their grown‐up child in ways that may hinder development and cause distress. Non‐Violent Resistance (NVR) parent training may help parents reduce their accommodation, manage arising conflicts through de‐escalation techniques, and amass external support for themselves and their child. Parents of four young adults with HF‐ASD received a ten‐week modified NVR parent training. Cases were evaluated through semi‐structured interviews and self‐report questionnaires. The parents reported improved independent functioning, reduced parental helplessness and accommodation, and enhanced support. Questionnaires showed improvements in reported parental hopefulness and reduced parental depression.Practitioner points Families with a grown‐up child with HF‐ASD may be characterised by excessive parental accommodation that is detrimental to optimal functioning Accommodation increases dependence, which in turn requires continued accommodation, forming a ‘dependence trap’ NVR parent training may help parents to young adults with HF‐ASD reduce parental accommodation, helplessness and depression, while improving hopefulness and adaptation