Skip to main content

Intensive Behavioral Intervention and Family Psychological Adjustment in Autism

  • Reference work entry
Comprehensive Guide to Autism

Abstract

When Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI) is delivered at home – to the heart of the family – it can be a dramatically successful intervention for young children with autism. Given that substantial numbers of parents throughout the world are currently engaged in an IBI program in the home, it is important that the impact of IBI on family functioning is better understood. This chapter focuses on the psychological adjustment of parents and siblings of children with autism on IBI programs. Research has demonstrated that although parents (particularly mothers) and some siblings of children with autism may be at increased risk of adjustment problems than controls, there are no reported additional increases in risk for parents or siblings through engagement in IBI. It is possible that the positive and negative impacts of involvement in these programs essentially cancel themselves out. The implications of these findings for more supportive interventions for families on IBI home programs are discussed.

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

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 1,199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 1,299.99
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

  • Abidin RR. Parenting stress index: professional manual. 2nd ed. Odessa: Psychological Assessment Resources; 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous. Re: Teaching makes autistic toddlers brighter. 2007. Online comment in response to London Times article] Retrieved from http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/life/families/article1757496.ece.

  • Bauminger N, Yirmiya N. The functioning and well-being of siblings of children with autism: behavioral-genetic and familial contributions. In: Burack JA, Charman T, Yirmiya N, Zelazo PR, editors. The development of autism: perspectives from theory and research Mahwah. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum; 2001. p. 61–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Behr SK, Murphy DL, Summers JA. User’s manual: Kansas Inventory of Parental Perceptions (KIPP). Lawrence: University of Kansas, Beach Center on Families and Disability; 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benson PR, Karlof KL. Child, parent and family predictors of later adjustment in siblings of children with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2008;2:583–600.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birnbrauer JS, Leach DJ. The Murdoch Early Intervention Program after two years. Behav Change. 1993;10:63–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackledge JT, Hayes SC. Using acceptance and commitment training in the support of parents of children diagnosed with autism. Child Family Behav Ther. 2006;28:1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bristol MM, Gallagher JJ, Schopler E. Mothers and fathers of young developmentally disabled and nondisabled boys: adaptation and spousal support. Dev Psychol. 1988;24:441–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cebula KR. Applied behavior analysis programs for autism: sibling psychosocial adjustment during and following intervention use. J Autism Dev Disord. 2012;42:847–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cox MJ, Paley B. Families as systems. Annu Rev Psychol. 1997;48:243–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cuskelly M, Gunn P. Sibling relationships of children with Down syndrome: perspectives of mothers, fathers and siblings. Am J Ment Retard. 2003;108:234–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Durand VM. Sleep better. A guide to improving sleep for children with special needs. Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks; 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eldevik S, Hastings RP, Hughes JC, Jahr E, Eikeseth S, Cross S. Meta-analysis of early intensive behavioral intervention for children. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2009;38:439–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eldevik S, Hastings RP, Hughes JC, Jahr E, Eikeseth S, Cross S. Using participant data to extend the evidence base for intensive behavioural intervention for children with autism. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2010;115:381–405.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisman S, Wolf L, Ellison D, Gillis B, Freeman T, Szatmari P. Risk and protective factors affecting the adjustment of siblings of children with chronic disabilities. J Amer Acad Child Adolesc Psych. 1996;35:1532–1541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisman S, Wolf L, Ellison D, Gillis B, Freeman T. A longitudinal study of siblings of children with chronic disabilities. Can J Psychiatry. 2000;45:369–75.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman R. The strengths and difficulties questionnaire: a research note. J Child Psychol Psychiatr. 1997;38:581–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray DE. Ten years on: a longitudinal study of families of children with autism. J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2002;27:215–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grindle CF, Kovshoff H, Hastings RP, Remington B. Parents’ experiences of home-based applied behavior analysis programs for young children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2009;39:42–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grindle CF, Hastings RP, Saville M, Hughes JC, Huxley K, Kovshoff H, Griffith GM, Walker-Jones E, Devonshire K, Remington B. Outcomes of a behavioral education model for children with autism in a mainstream school setting. Behav Modif. 2012;36:298–319.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hannah ME, Midlarsky E. Competence and adjustment of siblings of children with mental retardation. Am J Ment Retard. 1999;104:22–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harris SL. A family systems approach to behavioral training with parents of autistic children. Child Family Behav Ther. 1982;4:21–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings RP. Parental stress and behaviour problems of children with developmental disability. J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2002;27:149–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings RP. Child behaviour problems and partner mental health as correlates of stress in mothers and fathers of children with autism. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2003a;47:231–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings RP. Brief report: behavioral adjustment of siblings of children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2003b;33:99–104.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings RP. Behavioral adjustment of siblings of children with autism engaged in ABA early intervention programs: the moderating role of social support. J Autism Dev Disord. 2003c;33:141–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings RP. Longitudinal relationships between sibling behavioral adjustment and behavior problems of children with developmental disabilities. J Autism Dev Disord. 2007;37:1485–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings RP, Brown T. Behavior problems of autistic children, parental self-efficacy and mental health. Am J Ment Retard. 2002;107:222–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings RP, Johnson E. Stress in UK families conducting intensive home-based behavioral interventions for their young child with autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2001;31:327–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings RP, Mount RH. Early correlates of behavioural and emotional problems in children and adolescents with severe learning disabilities. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2001;14:381–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings RP, Taunt HM. Positive perceptions in families of children with developmental disabilities. Am J Ment Retard. 2002;107:116–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings RP, Kovshoff H, Ward NJ, degli Espinosa F, Brown T, Remington B. Systems analysis of stress and positive perceptions in mothers and fathers of pre-school children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2005;35:635–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings RP, Daley D, Burns C, Beck A. Maternal distress and expressed emotion: cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships with behavior problems of children with intellectual disabilities. Am J Ment Retard. 2006;111:48–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes SC, Strosahl K, Wilson KG. Acceptance and commitment therapy: an experiential approach to behavior change. New York: Guilford Press; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson E, Hastings RP. Facilitating factors and barriers to the implementation of intensive home-based behavioral intervention for young children with autism. Child Care Health Dev. 2002;28:123–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaminsky L, Dewey D. Sibling relationships of children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2001;33:1679–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaminsky L, Dewey D. Psychosocial adjustment in siblings of children with autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2002;43:225–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence KS. Society for the experimental analysis of behaviour. J Appl Behav Anal. 1968. www.envmed.rochester.edu/wwwrap/behavior/jaba/jabahome.htm

  • Lecavalier L, Wiltz J. The impact of behavior problems on caregiver stress in young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2006;50:172–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lovaas OI. Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1987;55:3–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lovaas OI. The development of a treatment-research project for developmentally disabled and autistic children. J Appl Behav Anal. 1993;26:617–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lovaas OI, Koegel RL, Simmons JQ, Long J. Some generalization and follow-up measures on autistic children in behavior therapy. J Appl Behav Anal. 1973;6:131–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Macks JR, Reeve RE. The adjustment of non-disabled siblings of children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2007;37:1060–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marcus LM, Kunce LJ, Schopler E. Working with families. In: Volkmar F, Rhea P, Kiln A, Cohen D, editors. Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders, Assessment, interventions and policy, vol. 2. Hoboken: Wiley; 2005. p. 1055–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mates TE. Siblings of autistic children:their adjustment at home and in school. J Autism Dev Disord. 1990; 20:545–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maurice C, Green G, Foxx R. Making a difference: behavioral intervention for autism. Austin: Pro-Ed; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meltzer H, Gatward R, Goodman R, Ford F. Mental health of children and adolescents in Great Britain. London: HMSO; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minuchin P. Families and individual development: provocations from the field of family therapy. Child Dev. 1985;56:289–302.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council. Educating children with autism. committee on educational interventions for children with autism, Division of behavioral and social sciences and autism. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2001

    Google Scholar 

  • New York State Department of Health. Report of the Recommendations. Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorders. 1999: Publication No. 4215.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien S, Repp AC, Williams GE, Christopherson ER. Pediatric feeding disorders. Behavior Modification. 1991;15:394–418.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Orsmond GI, Kuo H, Seltzer MM. Siblings of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder: sibling relationships and well-being in adolescence and adulthood. Autism. 2009;13:59–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petalas MA, Hastings RP, Nash S, Lloyd T, Dowey A. Emotional and behavioural adjustment in siblings of children with intellectual disability with and without autism. Autism. 2009;13:471–83.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petalas MA, Hastings RP, Nash S, Hall LM, Joannidi H, Dowey A. Psychological adjustment and sibling relationships in siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders: environmental stressors and the broad autism phenotype. Res Autism Spectr Disord. 2012;6:546–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pilowsky T, Yirmiya N, Doppelt O, Gross-Tsur V, Shalev RS. Social and emotional adjustment of siblings of children with autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatr. 2004;45:855–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quine L. Severity of sleep problems in children with severe learning difficulties: description and correlates. J Commun Appl Soc Psychol. 1992;2:247–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reichow B. Overview of meta-analyses on early intensive behavioral intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2012;4:512–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivers JW, Stoneman Z. Sibling relationships when a child has autism: marital stress and support coping. J Autism Dev Disord. 2003;33:383–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Remington B, Hastings RP, Kovshoff H, degli Espinosa F, Jahr E, Brown T, et al. Early intensive behavioural intervention: outcomes for children with autism and their parents after two years. Am J Ment Retard. 2007;112:418–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robbins FR, Dunlap G, Plienis AJ. Family characteristics, family training, and the progress of young children with autism. J Early Intervent. 1991;15:173–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sallows GO, Graupner TD. Intensive behavioral treatment for children with autism: four year outcome and predictors. Am J Ment Retard. 2005;10:417–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singer GHS. Meta-analysis of comparative studies of depression in mothers of children with and without developmental disabilities. Am J Ment Retard. 2006;111:155–69.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith T. Are other treatments effective? In: Maurice C, Green G, Luce S, editors. Behavioural intervention for young children with autism: a manual for parents and professionals. Austin: PRO-ED; 1996. p. 45–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith T, Buch GA, Gamby TE. Parent-directed, intensive early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder. Res Dev Disabil. 2000a;21:297–309.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith T, Groen AD, Wynn JW. Randomized trial of intensive early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder. Am J Ment Retard. 2000b;105:269–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Solish A, Perry A. Parents’ involvement in their children’s behavioral intervention programs: parent and therapist perspectives. Res Autism Spectr Disord. 2008;2:728–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tobing L, Glenwick D. Relation of the childhood autism rating scale – parent version to diagnosis, stress and age. Res Dev Disabil. 2002;23:211–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trudgeon C, Carr D. The impacts of home-based early behavioural intervention programmes on families of children with autism. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2007;20:285–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tzanakaki P, Grindle CF, Hastings RP, Hughes JC, Kovshoff H, Remington B. How and why do parents choose early intensive behavioral intervention for their young child with Autism? Educ Train Autism Dev Disabl. 2012;47:58–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verte S, Roeyers H, Buysse A. Behavioral problems, social competence and self concept in siblings of children with autism. Child Care Health Dev. 2003;29:193–205.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Virués-Ortega J. Applied behavior analytic intervention for autism in early childhood: meta-analysis, meta-regression and dose–response meta-analysis of multiple outcomes. Clin Psychol Rev. 2010;30:387–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Corinna F. Grindle .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this entry

Cite this entry

Grindle, C.F., Remington, B. (2014). Intensive Behavioral Intervention and Family Psychological Adjustment in Autism. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V., Martin, C. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Autism. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-4787-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-4788-7

  • eBook Packages: Behavioral Science

Publish with us

Policies and ethics