The Impact of a Brief Home-Based Intervention on Families with a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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The Impact of a Brief Home-Based Intervention on Families with a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder Audrey Mullan 1 & Kerry Boyd 1 & Roy McConkey 2 Accepted: 7 September 2020/ # The Author(s) 2020
Abstract A brief intervention is described and evaluated that aimed to build and strengthen relationships for families of children diagnosed with ASD aged 12 and under. A particular focus was on socially disadvantaged parents. Parents were offered around five home visits which took place on weekdays during working hours; each lasting around 90 min. They were given individualised practical tools and support to manage their children’s behaviours alongside providing a listening ear to parents’ concerns. In all, 456 children and 427 families participated over a four-year period with a take-up rate of 87% of all referrals. The drop-out rate was low (4.5%) as was the proportion of missed and cancelled appointments. Parents’ satisfaction ratings were high and most found the number of sessions provided was ‘just right’. Children improved in their personal care, had less difficulty with change, showed less anger and had fewer meltdowns. Parents reported being less stressed, not feeling so down and managing their child better. The evaluations suggested that a brief home-based intervention is a viable and effective means of providing personalized, postdiagnostic support to parents at periodic intervals, although socially disadvantaged families may require additional assistance beyond managing their child’s ASD. The project also highlighted broader issues that impede effective support for families. Keywords Children . Autism . ASD . Families . Brief intervention . Service evaluation
* Roy McConkey [email protected]
1
AutismNI, Belfast, UK
2
Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities
The global rise in the prevalence rates of children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is well established up to 2010 (Elsabbagh et al. 2012). However during the past decade, the rise continued: at least in more affluent countries such as the United States (Kogan et al. 2018) and the United Kingdom (McConkey 2020a). The increase was particularly marked in Northern Ireland. In the school census taken annually in the UK, 4454 pupils in Northern Ireland were identified in the school year 2010/11 as having ASD: a prevalence rate of 1.41 per 100. By 2018/19, the numbers had risen to 10,627 pupils; an increase of nearly 140% resulting in a prevalence rate of 3.21 per 100 (McConkey 2020a). A similar increase was apparent in the number of children in Northern Ireland referred to health services for assessment with a rise of 147% in the number of children diagnosed with ASD over the years from 2015 to 2019 (Department of Health 2018). Not surprising, existing service provision was illequipped to cope with the increased demand. Early intervention to ameliorate the main symptoms of ASD as soon as the condition is identified, or ev
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