Effects of Parent Training Program for Caregivers of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Background: Many parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are more likely to experience depression and stress than those of children with/without other types of disabilities. It could become much more pronounced when their children are diagnosed. Therefore, an appropriate program should be provided to reduce the parent’s anxiety and parenting stress at a crucial time.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a parent training program for caregivers of young children with ASD.

Methods: Fifteen parents participated in a series of lectures and group discussions for 5 months. Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-Ⅱ) and Parenting Stress Index (PSI) were used to measure the parent’s anxiety and parenting stress. Knowledge of Behavioral Principle as Applied to Children (KBPAC) was used for a treatment fidelity check. These 3 measures were given at pre- and post-program, and at 3-month follow up. At the end of the program, the participants completed a questionnaire on degree of understanding and satisfaction with the program.

Results: BDI-Ⅱ scores of the participants significantly decreased at the end of the program and were maintained to 3 months. Similarly, PSI scores tended to decline although it was not a statistically significant change. KBPAC scores significantly increased from the beginning of the program, and the improved scores were maintained to 3 months. Most participants developed a better understanding of parenting skills and had a high level of satisfaction with the program.

Conclusions: The results revealed that the program could be effective for reducing the depression of caregivers of young children with ASD. However, the program was not effective enough to reduce parenting stress. A likely explanation is that the caregivers reacknowledged the problems that their children have shown and their responsibility as parents through the program. The program needs to be revised, focusing on reducing parenting stress more effectively. Starting at an early stage of awareness and diagnosis, the parent training program could play an important role as one of the early family intervention programs for ASD.