Premium
Providing training in positive behavioural support and physical interventions for parents of children with autism and related behavioural difficulties
Author(s) -
Preece David
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
support for learning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.25
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1467-9604
pISSN - 0268-2141
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9604.12053
Subject(s) - autism , psychological intervention , psychology , challenging behaviour , session (web analytics) , autism spectrum disorder , parent training , motivational interviewing , training (meteorology) , interview , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , intervention (counseling) , learning disability , psychiatry , physics , world wide web , computer science , meteorology , political science , law
Though professionals working with children on the autism spectrum who display challenging behaviour routinely receive training in the use of both positive behavioural support techniques and physical interventions, such training is rarely provided for the parents of these children. This article reports on the impact of training provided for family members associated with eight children aged 7–11 years who were associated with the same special school. Participants were surveyed before and after training, and at a 12‐week follow‐up session. Data were triangulated by interviewing staff providing and supporting the training. The results suggest that attending the training increased parents' confidence in understanding and managing the child's behaviour, and reduced the use of physical interventions. Positive factors associated with parent training are discussed, as well as challenges to its provision, and the cost and potential impact of providing training is compared with other models of support. Limitations of the study and areas for further research are identified.