Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Using Technological Innovations to Support Parents of Young Children with Autism

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Parent-Implemented Interventions for Very Young Children with Autism

Part of the book series: Autism and Child Psychopathology Series ((ACPS))

  • 2946 Accesses

Abstract

In this chapter, we will explore the current research on the use of technology in parent education and support and will reflect on our clinical experiences implementing a family-focused telehealth program. We will begin broadly, providing a brief synopsis of what has been studied in various clinical populations, highlighting what we believe can be applied to families of young children with ASD. We will then emphasize the translational aspects of telehealth practice, drawing from our group’s experiences launching a videoconferencing version of a family-focused, evidence-based intervention. After outlining the implementation steps of telehealth program development, we will conclude with specific modifications to therapist/educator communication when interacting with families through a videoconferencing platform.

This research was supported by grants from the Department of Health and Human Services/Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)/Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), Association of University Centers on Disabilities, JFK Partners, University of Colorado Denver, and Children’s Hospital of Colorado.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 229.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • American Telemedicine Association. (2015). What is telemedicine?Available at: https://www.americantelemed.org/learn/what-is-telemedicine. Accessed August 25, 2015.

  • Antonini, T. N., Raj, S. P., Oberjohn, K. S., Cassedy, A., Makoroff, K. L., Fouladi, M., & Wade, S. L. (2014). A pilot randomized trial of an online parenting skills program for pediatric traumatic brain injury: Improvements in parenting and child behavior. Behavior Therapy, 45(4), 455–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baggett, K. M., Davis, B., Feil, E. G., Sheeber, L. L., Landry, S. H., Carta, J. J., & Leve, C. (2010). Technologies for expanding the reach of evidence-based interventions: Preliminary results for promoting social-emotional development in early childhood. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 29(4), 226–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baharav, E., & Reiser, C. (2010). Using telepractice in parent training in early autism diagnosis. Telemedicine and e-Health, 16(6), 727–731. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2010.0029

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bearss, K., Lecavalier, L., Minshawi, N., Johnson, C., Smith, T., Handen, B., et al. (2013). Toward an exportable parent training program for disruptive behaviors in autism spectrum disorder. Neuropsychiatry, 3(2), 169–180. https://doi.org/10.2217/npy.13.14

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Blakeley-Smith, A., Hepburn, S., Moody, E., Klinger, L., Keefer, A., Duncan, A., O’Kelley., & Reaven, J. (2016). Treatment fidelity and clinician experience: Implementation of “facing your fears” in outpatient settings. Paper presented as part of a symposium at the international meeting for Autism Research, Baltimore, MD, May, 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boisvert, M., & Hall, N. (2014). The use of telehealth in early autism training for parents: A scoping review. Smart Homecare Technology and TeleHealth, 2, 19–27. https://doi.org/10.2147/SHTT.S45353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boutain, A. R. (2014). An evaluation of a telehealth parent training program in teaching self-care skills to children with autism. Dissertation abstracts. http://hdl.handle.net/1808/16844. Accessed 13 Oct 2016.

  • Brooks-Gunn, J., Berlin, L. J., & Fuligni, A. S. (2000). Early childhood intervention programs: What about the family? In J. P. Shonkoff & S. J. Meisels (Eds.), Handbook of early childhood intervention (2nd ed., pp. 549–588). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, B., Bynum, J., Hall-Barrow, A., Ott, R., & Albright, M. (2008). Rural school-based telehealth: How to make it happen. Clinical Pediatrics, 47(9), 926–929.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr, E. G., & Durand, V. M. (1985). Reducing behavior problems through functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18(2), 111–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (Eds.). (2002). Handbook of self-determination research. University Rochester Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeVany, M., Alverson, D., D’Iorio, J., & Simmons, S. (2008). Employing telehealth to enhance overall quality of life and health for families. Telemedicine and e-Health, 14(9), 1003–1007. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2008.0107

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gettings, S. (2015). Facilitating support groups for siblings of children with neurodevelopmental disorders using audio-conferencing: A longitudinal feasibility study. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-015-0041-z

  • Hall, C. M., & Bierman, K. L. (2015). Technology-assisted interventions for parents of young children: Emerging practices, current research, and future directions. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 33, 21–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2015.05.003

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hanlon-Dearman, A., Edwards, C., Schwab, D., Cox, M., & Longstaffe, S. (2014). “Giving voice”: Evaluation of an integrated telehealth community care model by parents/guardians of children diagnosed with fetal alcohol Spectrum disorder in Manitoba. Telemedicine and E-Health, 20(5), 478–484. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2013.0161

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hepburn, S., Blakeley-Smith, A., & Reaven, J. (2016). Maintenance of intervention effects of a family-focused cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in youth with ASD. Paper presented as part of a symposium at the International Meeting for Autism Research, Baltimore, MD, May, 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hepburn, S., Blakeley-Smith, A., Wolff, B., & Reaven, J. (2015). Telehealth delivery of cognitive-behavioral intervention to youth with autism spectrum disorder and anxiety: A pilot study. Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613155751564

  • Ingersoll, B., & Schreibman, L. (2006). Teaching reciprocal imitation skills to young children with autism using a naturalistic behavioral approach: Effects on language, pretend play, and joint attention. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(4), 487.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingersoll, B. R., & Wainer, A. L. (2013). Pilot study of a school-based parent training program for preschoolers with ASD. Autism, 17(4), 434–448. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361311427155

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ingersoll, B. R., Wainer, A. L., Berger, N. I., & Pickard, K. E. (2016). Comparison of self-directed and therapist-assisted telehealth parent-mediated intervention for children with ASD: A pilot RCT. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46, 2275–2284. https://doi.org/10.1007/s0803-016-2755-z

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jang, J., Dixon, D. R., Tarbox, J., Granpeesheh, D., Kornack, J., & de Nocker, Y. (2012). Randomized trial of an eLearning program for training family members of children with autism in the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(2), 852–856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2011.11.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, D. J., Forehand, R., Cuellar, J., Kincaid, C., Parent, J., Fenton, N., & Goodrum, N. (2013). Harnessing innovative technologies to advance children's mental health: Behavioral parent training as an example. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(2), 241–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2012.11.003

  • Jones, L., Hastings, R. P., Totsika, V., Keane, L., & Rhule, N. (2014). Child behavior problems and parental wellbeing in families of children with autism: The mediating role of mindfulness and acceptance. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 119(2), 171–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kable, J. A., Coles, C. D., Strickland, D., & Taddeo, E. (2012). Comparing the effectiveness of on-line versus in-person caregiver education and training for behavioral regulation in families of children with FASD. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 10(6), 791–803.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, K. (2011). Telehealth: Families finding ways to connect in rural Colorado. Exceptional Parent, 41(4), 18–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaminski, J. W., Valle, L. A., Filene, J. H., & Boyle, C. L. (2008). A meta-analytic review of components associated with parent training program effectiveness. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36(4), 567–589.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendall, P. C., Chu, B., Gifford, A., Hayes, C., & Nauta, M. (1999). Breathing life into a manual: Flexibility and creativity with manual-based treatments. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 5(2), 177–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larose, F., Bedard, J., Hammami, A., & Terrisse, B. (2008). Limits of the appeal tointernet in accessing information and training in the exercise of parenting skills in Quebec. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13, 441–458. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2008.00404.x

  • Lerner, C., Ciervo, L., & Parklakian, R. (2012). Little kids, big questions. Zero to Three, 32(3), 4–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindgren, S., Wacker, D., Suess, A., Schieltz, K., Pelzel, K., Kopelman, T., … Waldron, D. (2016). Telehealth and autism: Treating challenging behavior at lower cost. Pediatrics, 137(S2), e201528510. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-28510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, R. J., & Forehand, R. (2003). Helping the noncompliant child: A clinician’s guide to effective parent training. New York, NY: Guilford, Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miyahara, M., Butson, R., Cutfield, R., & Clarkson, J. E. (2009). A pilot study of family-focused tele-intervention for children with developmental coordination disorder: Development and lessons learned. Telemedicine and E-Health, 15(7), 707–712. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2009.0022

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parette, H. P., Meadan, H. & Doubet, S. (2012). Fathers of young children with disabilities in the United States: Current status and implications. Childhood Education, 86(6), 382–388. https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2010.10523174.

  • Reaven, J., Blakeley-Smith, A., Culhane-Shelburne, K., & Hepburn, S. (2012). Group cognitive behavior therapy for children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders and anxiety: A randomized trial. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 53(4), 410–419. PMID: 22435114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reaven, J., Blakeley-Smith, A., Nichols, S., & Hepburn, S. (2011). Facing your fears: A family- focused intervention to reduce anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorders (Facilitator’ guide, parent manual, child workbook). Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reese, R. J., Slone, N. C., Soares, N., & Sprang, R. (2012). Telehealth for underserved families: An evidence-based parenting program. Psychological Services, 9(3), 320–322. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026193

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, S. J., & Dawson, G. (2010). Early start Denver model for young children with autism: Promoting language, learning, and engagement. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, S. J., Estes, A., Lord, C., Vismara, L., Winter, J., Fitzpatrick, A., & Dawson, G. (2012). Effects of a brief early start Denver model (ESDM)–based parent intervention on toddlers at risk for autism spectrum disorders: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51(10), 1052–1065.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R. (2012). Development, evaluation, and multinational dissemination of the triple P-positive parenting program. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 8, 345–379.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suess, A. N., Romani, P. W., Wacker, D. P., Dyson, S. M., Kuhle, J. L., Lee, J. F., et al. (2014). Evaluating the treatment fidelity of parents who conduct in-home functional communication training with coaching via telehealth. Journal of Behavioral Education, 23(1), 34–59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-013-9183-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sussman, F. (1999). More than words: Helping parents promote communication and social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Toronto, Canada: The Hanen Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vismara, L. A., McCormick, C., Young, G. S., Nadhan, A., & Monlux, K. (2013). Preliminary findings of a telehealth approach to parent training in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(12), 2953–2969. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1841-8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vismara, L. A., Young, G. S., & Rogers, S. J. (2012). Telehealth for expanding the reach of early autism training to parents. Autism Research and Treatment, 2012(2–3), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/121878

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vismara, L. A., McCormick, C. E., Wagner, A. L., Monlux, K., Nadhan, A., & Young, G. S. (2016). Telehealth parent training in the early start Denver model: Results from a randomized controlled study. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 33(2), 67–79. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357616651064

  • Wacker, D. P., Lee, J. F., Dalmau, Y. C. P., Kopelman, T. G., Lindgren, S. D., Kuhle, J., et al. (2013). Conducting functional communication training via telehealth to reduce the problem behavior of young children with autism. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 25(1), 35–48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-012-9314-0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wade, S. L., Oberjohn, K., Conaway, K., Osinska, P., & Bangert, L. (2011). Live coaching of parenting skills using the internet: Implications for clinical practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42(6), 487–493. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wainer, A. L., & Ingersoll, B. R. (2011). The use of innovative computer technology for teaching social communication to individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders., 5, 96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wainer, A. L., & Ingersoll, B. R. (2014). Increasing access to an ASD imitation intervention via a telehealth parent training program. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2186-7

  • Webster-Stratton, C., & Reid, M. J. (2010). The Incredible Years parents, teachers, and children training series: A multifaceted treatment approach for young children with conduct disorders. In J. R. Weisz & A. E. Kazdin (Eds.), Evidence-based psychotherapies for children and adolescents (2nd ed., pp. 194–210). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, Y., Dixon, J. F., Yee, O. M., Zhang, J., Chen, Y. A., DeAngelo, S., & Schweitzer, J. B. (2013). A study on the effectiveness of videoconferencing on teaching parent training skills to parents of children with ADHD. Telemedicine and e-Health, 19(3), 192–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA

    Susan L. Hepburn

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Elizabeth M. Griffith

Authors
  1. Susan L. Hepburn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Elizabeth M. Griffith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susan L. Hepburn .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Autism and Related Disorders, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Michael Siller

  2. Division of Autism and Related Disorders, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Lindee Morgan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Hepburn, S.L., Griffith, E.M. (2018). Using Technological Innovations to Support Parents of Young Children with Autism. In: Siller, M., Morgan, L. (eds) Handbook of Parent-Implemented Interventions for Very Young Children with Autism. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90994-3_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation