Parent-Mediated Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Colleen E Althoff; Caitlin P Dammann; Sarah J Hope; Karla K Ausderau

doi:10.5014/ajot.2019.030015

Parent-Mediated Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Am J Occup Ther. 2019 May/Jun;73(3):7303205010p1-7303205010p13. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2019.030015.

Authors

Colleen E Althoff¹, Caitlin P Dammann², Sarah J Hope³, Karla K Ausderau⁴

Affiliations

¹ Colleen E. Althoff, MS, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago; calthoff@wisc.edu. She was Student, Occupational Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, at the time of the study.
² Caitlin P. Dammann, MS, OTR/L, was Student, Occupational Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, at the time of the study.
³ Sarah J. Hope, MS, OTR/L, was Student, Occupational Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, at the time of the study.
⁴ Karla K. Ausderau, PhD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Program, and Investigator, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

PMID: 31120831
DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2019.030015

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of parent-mediated interventions on occupational performance of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Method: We conducted a search of academic databases using terms such as autism spectrum disorder, parent, caregiver, and intervention. Five hundred eighty-two articles were reviewed, and 109 were selected for full-text review. The final analysis included 13 articles.

Results: Strong evidence was found for the efficacy of parent-mediated intervention for increasing child joint attention. Moderate evidence was found for the improvement of language scores, expressive language, nonverbal communication, initiation and response to interaction, behavior, play, adaptive functioning, ASD symptoms, and social communication.

Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that parent-mediated interventions for children with ASD can improve various aspects of communication and ASD symptoms, with emerging support for occupational performance. Occupational therapy practitioners are well suited to facilitate these interventions to support families with children with autism.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology
Autism Spectrum Disorder / therapy*
Autistic Disorder / psychology
Autistic Disorder / therapy*
Child
Communication
Humans
Parent-Child Relations*
Parents / psychology*