Programmes for Training Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Consequent to the description of Autism by Leo Kanner in 1943, treatment programmes for children with autism have been designed. In the recent past, significant advances in treatment programmes for children as well as for parents have been made. In the treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in addition to the center based treatment, their parents also form essential partners. Further the treatment and teaching programmes, emphasis is placed on early intervention. The aim of this programme for training parents of children with ASD is to help parents/care givers to understand the nature of the disorder and its impact on children in the areas of development, behaviour problems, communication and socialization. Parents and care givers have the opportunity to learn and manage behaviour problem and teach various skills at home. This will help to reinforce the skills learnt at the training centers. The format of the treatment consists of 10 weekly sessions lasting for 2.5 months, it provides opportunity to explore issues in personal way. The sessions are skills based and action oriented with feedback. The components of the programme are: outline of goals, discussion about autism, reaction and dealing with the diagnosis, stress and coping, outline of behaviour management through reinforcement, extinction, developing new beaviours through prompting, shaping and chaining, dealing with communication problems, developing social skills and socialization.