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A Pilot Study of Parent Training in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Disruptive Behavior

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Abstract

Guidance on effective interventions for disruptive behavior in young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is limited. We present feasibility and initial efficacy data on a structured parent training program for 16 children (ages 3–6) with ASD and disruptive behavior. The 6-month intervention included 11 Core and up to 2 Optional sessions. The program was acceptable to parents as evidenced by an attendance rate of 84 % for Core sessions. Fourteen of 16 families completed the treatment. An independent clinician rated 14 of 16 subjects as much improved or very much improved at Week 24. Using last observation carried forward, the parent-rated Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Irritability subscale decreased 54 % from 16.00 (SD = 9.21) to 7.38 (SD = 6.15).

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Acknowledgments

This publication was made possible by Clinical and Translational Scholar Award (CTSA) Grant Number UL1 RR024139 and 5KL2RR024138 from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and NIH roadmap for Medical Research. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of NCRR or NIH. We acknowledge the efforts of Sherin Stahl for assistance with therapy cases and Breanne Bears and Kathryn Bradbury for data management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marcus Autism Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 1920 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA

    Karen Bearss

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3420 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Cynthia Johnson

  3. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 1011 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203, USA

    Benjamin Handen

  4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 671, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Tristram Smith

  5. Yale University, PO Box 207900, 40 Temple Street, Suite 7D, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA

    Lawrence Scahill

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  1. Karen Bearss
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  4. Tristram Smith
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Correspondence to Karen Bearss.

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Bearss, K., Johnson, C., Handen, B. et al. A Pilot Study of Parent Training in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Disruptive Behavior. J Autism Dev Disord 43, 829–840 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1624-7

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