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Research on parent training: Shortcomings and remedies

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Abstract

This paper reviews the research on parent training, identifies shortcomings, and recommends various remedies. We review parent training research along three general dimensions: (1) overall effectiveness, (2) differences in effectiveness attributable to certain features of the program, and (3) durability and generalization. Recommendations include using a model of human behavior that focuses on the functional behavioral repertoire, assessing additional family variables that include the child's role and participation, utilizing control and experimental groups, documenting the process of change and the family's use of community services, and using longitudinal designs that enable investigators to monitor the family's use of training materials and knowledge over a longer period of time.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Boston University, USA

    David T. Helm (Research Coordinator, APT Project) & Martin A. Kozloff (Research Coordinator, APT Project)

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  1. David T. Helm
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  2. Martin A. Kozloff
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APT Project (Assisting Parents and Professionals through Training) is a project of Autism Services Association, Inc., Weston, Massachusetts, and is partially funded by a grant of the U. S. Department of Education, National Institute of Handicapped Research. The authors would like to express their appreciation to Barbara C. Cutler for her helpful suggestions on an earlier draft of this material.

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Helm, D.T., Kozloff, M.A. Research on parent training: Shortcomings and remedies. J Autism Dev Disord 16, 1–22 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01531574

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