Telecoaching for Parents of Young Autistic Children Using Strength-Based Video Feedback.

Parent-implemented Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), rooted from applied behavioral and developmental sciences, focus on empowering families by training and coaching natural change agents to embed evidence-based strategies during regular events or contexts (e.g., play time). No research, however, has relied on strength-based video feedback coaching within parent-implemented NDBIs while providing flexibility with self-recorded sessions. We conducted a single case multiple-baseline design across five parent-child dyads to evaluate the effects of a telepractice-based parent-training on five NDBI strategies (i.e., Follow and Imitate, Model Language, Arrange Environment, Wait Time, Reward and Expand), utilizing strength-based video feedback coaching with parents (i.e., two mothers and three fathers) of young autistic children (i.e., ages 2 to 5) on parent strategy use and child social communication. An additional coaching package (i.e., parent self-reflections, goal setting, and joint discussions) was introduced to parents who did not meet a predetermined criterion. Maintenance data were collected 2-, 4-, and 6-weeks after intervention concluded. Visual analyses, nonoverlap calculations, and standardized mean difference effect sizes indicate strong effects for parent strategy use and small, varied effects on child social communication. Maintenance of parent strategy use and child social communication varied, with most remaining at equivalent or higher levels. Parent-implemented interventions that are delivered via telepractice may continue to be successful when coaching is focused on the parents' strengths, all coaching feedback is provided asynchronously, and families can flexibly record sessions based upon their week's schedules rather than relying on regularly scheduled meeting times with a coach.

Collateral Effects of the Tell Me MORE! Intervention on the Joint Reminiscing of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze secondary data from three mother-child dyads in order to evaluate how family photographs and training in naturalistic strategies affected the way mothers reminisce with their children with autism spectrum disorders. METHOD: A secondary analysis (i.e., collateral effects) of a single-case dataset was conducted to assess the impact of family photographs and training in naturalistic strategies on the selected variables. RESULTS: The introduction of family photographs showed positive effects on the mother's reminiscing style and the child's memory responses across all dyads. Furthermore, additional improvements were observed in these areas after training and coaching in the target strategies. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the positive impact of using family photographs and naturalistic based strategies in joint-reminiscing conversations for mothers and children with autism spectrum disorder. The intervention improved the mothers reminiscing style and child's memory responses, highlighting the potential value of parent-implemented interventions, especially those based on naturalistic strategies, in supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers.