RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Estimates suggest the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders affects one in every 110 children. While early behavioral intervention based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has strong empirical support, few parents are equipped to manage the variety and intensity of services their children will require. METHOD: Focus groups with parents and service providers helped to inform the development of Discovering Behavioral Intervention: A Parent's Interactive Guide to ABA. INTRODUCTION: Autism Spectrum Disorders is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe deficits in social and language development that affect a person's ability to communicate, form social relationships and respond appropriately to the environment. ABA treatment can result in meaningful and functional changes in language, social behavior and adaptive functioning. FINDINGS: DBI resulted in significant increases in knowledge and parents found the material to be engaging, practical, and relevant to their child's needs. Parents also reported high levels of satisfaction with the material.