Evaluation of a telehealth parent training program in teaching self-care skills to children with autism

J Appl Behav Anal. 2020 Jul;53(3):1259-1275. doi: 10.1002/jaba.743. Epub 2020 Jul 13.

Abstract

The present study used synchronous video conferencing to remotely deliver a behavioral skills training-based (BST) parent training program to 3 parents of children with autism in the family home. Parents were taught to implement graduated guidance to teach their children several important self-care skills. Parents did not correctly implement graduated guidance after receiving detailed written instructions only. After parents received the BST parent training package, however, all parents implemented graduated guidance with near-perfect levels of fidelity, and all children completed the targeted self-care skills with substantially higher levels of accuracy and independence. Furthermore, parents reported high levels of satisfaction with graduated guidance, the telehealth BST training package, and their children's ability to complete self-care skills.

Keywords: autism; behavioral skills training; parent training; self-care skills; telehealth.

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / psychology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parents / education*
  • Parents / psychology
  • Program Evaluation*
  • Self Care*
  • Telemedicine* / standards