Preliminary Findings of a Telehealth Approach to Parent Training in Autism
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Preliminary Findings of a Telehealth Approach to Parent Training in Autism Laurie A. Vismara • Carolyn McCormick Gregory S. Young • Anna Nadhan • Katerina Monlux
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Ó Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
Abstract Telehealth or online communication technologies may lessen the gap between intervention requirements for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and the available resources to provide these services. This study used a video conferencing and self-guided website to provide parent training in the homes of children with ASD. The first eight families to complete the 12-week online intervention and three-month follow up period served as pilot data. Parents’ intervention skills and engagement with the website, as well as children’s verbal language and joint attention skills were assessed. Preliminary research suggests telehealth may support parental learning and improve child behaviors for some families. This initial assessment of new technologies for making parent training resources available to families with ASD merits further, in-depth study. Keywords Telehealth Computers/internet Parent training Autism spectrum disorder
L. A. Vismara (&) C. McCormick G. S. Young Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA e-mail: [email protected] A. Nadhan Department of Neurology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA K. Monlux Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
Introduction Recent epidemiological reports now suggest that the overall estimated prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is one out of every 88 children (1 in 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls) living in the United States (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2012). The new numbers represent a 78 % increase in autism over the previous 5 years and place major demands on medical, behavioral, educational, and family services worldwide. Parents of children with ASD already experience seemingly insurmountable challenges, more so than families affected by other developmental disabilities when attempting to secure appropriate services (Kogan et al. 2008). With this most recent surge in incidence and limited resources, a potential outcome is that many children will not get the treatment and services they need and deserve. Thus as we continue to examine the potential causes of ASD, it is equally critical that we develop better models to ensure that effective interventions actually become implemented in the settings in which most children receive care. The introduction and development of advanced technologies can provide alternatives and supplements to how services and treatments are delivered to those in need (Baggett et al. 2010). Telehealth is one mechanism that enables individuals to receive professional services and support at a distance. This may involve live video streaming to communicate in real time with a health care pr
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