PMID 9809262
Jocelyn LJ, Casiro OG, Beattie D, Bow J, Kneisz J., Oct 1998
Background
This study focuses on caregiver-based intervention using randomized control trials. The participants consisted of autistic children diagnosed with autism or PDD-NOS.
Introduction
Goal: To determine the effectiveness of a caregiver-based intervention program with RCTs and day care against day care treatment alone in children with autism.
Methods
Participants: The control group (n=16) received day care only, while the treatment group (n=16) received day care and Autism Preschool Program (APP) intervention. Children in the control group attended 19.9 +/- 13.5 hours of day care a week, and children in the treatment group attended 21.4 +/- 11.9 hours of day care a week.
The study lasted for 12 weeks, with initial assessments before intervention and assessments after intervention by a psychologist who was blind to the child’s group assignment. Day care treatment consisted of Child Development Counselor consultation and family-consultation from Family Services Workers at a day care center. APP was designed to educate parents and day-care staff on how to best treat their child. The goal of APP was to improve the child’s social interactions and problem solving abilities. APP consisted of educational seminars, on-site consultations, and psychoeducational and support work with the family. The parents and day-care staff were also educated on autism and how to treat it through a series of lectures, discussions, and videotapes. Lectures were 3 hours long for five days a week, with day-care center visits for 3 hours a week for 10 weeks.
Results
Data was analyzed using ANOVA and ANCOVA for CARS and IQ scores. There was no significant difference between treatment and control groups for improvement in autistic behavior. There was a statistically significant difference in language age score, with treatment group scoring 5.3 +/- 5.0 months versus control group scoring 1.1 +/- 4.6 months in their language age score. Parents in the treatment group had more knowledge of autism and treatments than the control group, and reported more satisfaction in overall experience dealing with their child.
Conclusion
The results of this study, although marginal, imply that long-term beneficial effects may arise due to parents’ increased understanding of their child and how to treat their child’s condition.
Discussion
Parents who know more about treatment methods and about how to work with their autistic child report higher levels of confidence in caring for their child. The benefit of this treatment is that caring for an autistic child is a lifelong commitment, and educating parents is affordable and may equip them to care for their child more effectively. Further studies need to be conducted on long-term effects of this treatment.
