Abstract
While several recent evaluation studies have shown the efficacy of parent training programs for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, manual-based training in German is still scarce. To address this gap, we developed a specific modularized training program for parents of children from preschool to pre-adolescent age with Autism Spectrum Disorder (FETASS). The overarching purpose of the FETASS intervention is to enhance social communication behavior and quality of life of the child by coaching parents. As a proximal target, the FETASS training aims to provide families with behavior management and communication strategies. The development of the training was influenced by published behavioral parent trainings and autism-specific interventions. The training comprises eight weekly sessions and targets families whose children have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) without intellectual and language impairments. As a preliminary pilot study, the purpose was to evaluate the acceptability of the training. Furthermore, the study aimed at initially evaluating social communication behavior, quality of life of the child, parental stress level, and parenting after training in comparison to a treatment as usual (TAU) group. Exploratively, long-term effects were investigated after 6 months of training as well. In total, 57 families participated (n[TAU] = 29, n[FETASS] = 28). Questionnaires about social communication behavior and quality of life of the child, parental stress, and parenting were administered at three time points (t1: baseline TAU/FETASS, t2: post TAU/FETASS; and t3: 6-month follow-up after FETASS). Primary outcome measures were the social communication behavior of the child and the parent’s proxy report on quality of life of the child. Secondary outcome measures were changes in parental stress and parenting behavior. Acceptability of the training was very high and we had almost no dropouts during training. Results for the primary outcome measure of social communication behavior, overall quality of life of the child, and long-term effects on social communication behavior were not significant. While long-term findings for parent stress reduction and for the quality of life of the child are promising, further research has to be done in a future randomized controlled trial.
Highlights
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is known as a neurodevelopmental disorder with impairments in social interaction and communication skills accompanied by restricted interests, preoccupations, or stereotyped rigid behavior
There were no significant differences between the two groups (FETASS vs. treatment as usual (TAU)) for all primary or secondary outcome measures, for age, or for intellectual abilities
Concerning the primary outcome measures, no significant differences can be found after 8 weeks of FETASS intervention in comparison to TAU [Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS)-T-Total: F(1, 54) = 0.01, p = 0.940, g = −0.02; QL-Total Score-LQ0-28: F(1, 55) = 0.01, p = 0.912, g = −0.03]
Summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is known as a neurodevelopmental disorder with impairments in social interaction and communication skills accompanied by restricted interests, preoccupations, or stereotyped rigid behavior. Children with ASD represent a very heterogeneous group with a large range of functional levels and varying levels of impairment, as well as varying levels of non-impairments in the different domains of development. This fact is taken into account in the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5 [American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2013], which makes it possible to differentiate comorbidities (e.g., with or without speech delay, with or without cognitive impairment, and with or without ADHD) and better address the individual needs of each child with ASD.
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