Open AccessParents Perspective toward Implementing Pivotal Response Treatment in Natural Environment to Enhance Social Communication and Sensory Processing of Children with Autism
Author(s) -
Mariam Essa. Al-Shirawi,
Rehab Hassan Al-zayer,
Salman Baqer AlNajjar
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of studies in education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2162-6952
DOI - 10.5296/jse.v8i3.13378
Subject(s) - psychology , autism , perspective (graphical) , intervention (counseling) , autism spectrum disorder , joint attention , perception , developmental psychology , eye contact , sensory processing , natural (archaeology) , sensory system , cognitive psychology , artificial intelligence , psychiatry , neuroscience , computer science , archaeology , history
Parents of children with autism face many challenges while raising such a child due to behavioral, social, and sensory related characteristics. Qualitative focus group methodology was used to examine the effects of providing Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) intervention in the natural environmental activity of horseback riding on improving social communication, and sensory processing of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe parents’ perceptions of how this intervention affects the lives of their children at home and across various natural settings. Key influences included (a) eye contact and joint attention, (b) peers and adults’ interaction, (c) verbal and non-verbal communication, (d) behavior management, (e) eating and sleeping organized patterns, and (f) self-stimulatory behaviors. These elements were discussed across all parents who participated in the study. However, specific experiences and outcomes varied across the critical influences mentioned above.