Parentworks-Spectrum: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial of a Brief Integrated Parent Mediated Intervention for Young Children with Autism
Author(s): Bridie Leonard, David J Hawes, Lucy Tully, Natalie Silove, Adam Guastella, Valsamma Eapen, Mark R Dadds
Abstract Background: Parent mediated interventions (PMIs) have been supported as efficacious for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and may improve the diagnostic features of ASD as well as common comorbid disorders (e.g., externalising problems). Despite this, many PMIs are lengthy, highly specialised, incur significant financial costs, and are not readily accessible for families. This study investigated the efficacy, acceptability and feasibility of ParentWorks-Spectrum, a 12-session PMI. Method: A pilot Randomised Controlled Trial was conducted with parents (N = 26) of children with an ASD diagnosis aged 2-5 years 11 months. Families were randomised to a wait list control group (WL; n = 12) or an intervention group (PWS; n = 14). The intervention was originally delivered face-to-face and then transferred to tele-health due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: With regards to primary outcomes, mothers in the PWS group reported a significantly lower intensity of parent-reported child disruptive behaviours at post-assessment relative to parents in the WL group. Statistically significant group differences were not observed for parentreported child social and communication skills or parent levels of stress. With regards to secondary outcomes, mothers in the PWS group reported higher levels of self-perceived competence and efficacy in parenting postassessment relative to parents in the WL group. Overall, parent reports indicate that the intervention is considered acceptable. Conclusion: These results provide initial support for the efficacy of ParentWorks-Spectrum as a brief, parenting program for improving disruptive behavioural difficulties and parenting in families of young children with autism.