Early Intervention Caregiver Training for Children With Autism: A Quality Review

Education & Treatment of Children

Shannon, E. N., Kang, S., et al. (2023).

Education & Treatment of Children, 46(2), 165-192.

<div>This qualitative review explores the impact of caregiver training interventions for children on the autism spectrum, aged 8 years or younger, and their caregivers.&nbsp;</div>

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<div>Experimental or quasi-experimental studies of any design</div>

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<div>Overall, caregiver training resulted in positive outcomes for young children on the autism spectrum and their caregivers. Specific findings included:</div> <div> <ul> <li>Across the 22 single case studies, positive outcomes were seen for 82% of children and for 95% of caregivers.</li> <li>Within the 13 group studies, child measures improved in 69% of studies and caregiver measures improved in 100% of studies. However, these changes were not always significant. Only six (46%) of the group studies reported significant outcomes for caregivers and six (46%) studies reported significant outcomes for children.&nbsp;</li> <li>Positive findings for children included gains in social communication, as well as, expressive and receptive communication.</li> <li>Positive care partner outcomes included increased strategy use, improved fidelity of care partner-implemented treatments, and improved caregiver responsiveness.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <div>Of note, the authors of this review report that these results should be interpreted with caution. Limitations to these findings include small sample sizes, a preponderance of single-case studies, and reduced methodological rigor of included studies. Additional research is indicated.&nbsp;</div> </div>