In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, special education practitioners face numerous challenges, including ensuring that students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) receive effective and evidence-based interventions. A recent study titled "Evaluation of a Telehealth Parent-Training Program in Japan: Collaboration with Parents to Teach Novel Mand Skills to Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder" offers valuable insights that can help practitioners enhance their skills and support parents more effectively.
This study, conducted in Japan, focused on a telehealth parent-training program designed to teach parents how to implement mand training—a crucial communication skill for children with ASD. The program utilized a Behavioral Skills Training (BST) model, which includes instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback, and was conducted entirely online. Four parents participated in the study, and the results were promising, demonstrating the effectiveness and social validity of the program.
Key Takeaways for Practitioners
- Implement BST in Parent Training: The study highlighted the importance of using BST in parent training programs. This model ensures that parents receive clear instructions, observe demonstrations, practice the skills, and receive feedback, leading to better implementation and outcomes.
- Utilize Telehealth Platforms: Telehealth can overcome geographical and logistical barriers, making it easier for parents to access training and support. Practitioners should consider integrating telehealth into their service delivery models to reach more families.
- Focus on Mand Training: Mand training is essential for improving communication skills in children with ASD. Practitioners should prioritize teaching parents how to effectively implement mand training to help their children acquire and generalize these skills.
- Monitor Procedural Integrity: Ensuring that parents accurately implement the training procedures is crucial. Regular monitoring and feedback can help maintain high procedural integrity and improve the effectiveness of the intervention.
- Consider Cultural Competency: The study emphasized the need for cultural adaptations in training programs. Practitioners should be aware of cultural differences and tailor their approaches to meet the unique needs of diverse families.
Encouraging Further Research
While the results of this study are promising, additional research is needed to further validate the effectiveness of telehealth parent-training programs across different populations and settings. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in ongoing professional development and contribute to the growing body of research in this area.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Evaluation of a Telehealth Parent-Training Program in Japan: Collaboration with Parents to Teach Novel Mand Skills to Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
