Parent Training Interventions to Reduce Challenging Behavior in Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Abstract It is well established that parents and other caregivers play an important role in shaping child development. Given the important link between parenting and child adjustment, a variety of parent management training interventions have been adopted from the disruptive behavior disorder treatment literature and applied to the prevention and treatment of challenging behavior in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This chapter reviews empirical studies published from 2003 to 2012 that examine the effects of parent training interventions on challenging behavior of children with IDD. Nineteen studies representing 11 parent training programs are reviewed. Parent training interventions include the Incredible Years, Stepping Stones Triple P, Signposts for Building Better Behavior, Research Units in Pediatric Psychopharmacology Parent Training, Sing and Grow Music Therapy, Mindfulness Training, Parent–Child Interaction Therapy, the Autism Spectrum Conditions—Enhancing Nurture and Development program, Parent Training for Smaller Groups and Shorter Schedules, video modeling and feedback parent training, and parent management training. Taken together, results from these studies suggest a growing evidence base for the use of parent training interventions for reducing challenging behavior in children with IDD. Results suggest a smaller body of evidence for effects of parent training interventions on altering parenting behavior and enhancing parent mental health. Questions remain about the durability and generalization of findings, moderators and mediators of change, and strategies for enhancing therapeutic alliance and engagement with an aim to reduce attrition.