The purpose of this review was to examine the literature on parent training for parents of children with autism. Families with a child diagnosed with autism often face a discrepancy between their need for services and the availability of services either because they live in geographically distant areas or because they are on a long wait list for services. Researchers have found that parents, if trained, can serve as a facilitator of positive change for their child. There is a plethora of home- and facility-based parent training services. Noticeably absent, however, are studies that directly address the needs of families with limited access to parent training (e.g., families who live in rural areas). In this review, the researchers demonstrate a gap in providing parent training to those who do not have access to these services. The researchers provide implications for research and practice to bridge the gap.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that parents who have children diagnosed with autism can obtain and apply knowledge of a research-based support for their children by utilizing a prescribed, self-directed, online program, giving families another possible method of obtaining training to help meet the discrepancy that exists between need and service. The design was a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group, pretest-posttest design that was used to test knowledge obtained from treatment. Additionally, the researcher examined parents' application of knowledge and perceptions regarding the treatment. The results demonstrate that parents who receive training using this method can obtain and apply knowledge of a researchbased support. Furthermore, participant feedback indicates parental support for this method of obtaining knowledge. The results suggest that using a self-directed, online program may serve to give families another possible method of obtaining informational training. Using this method of parental instruction may help fill a portion of the gap between the need for services and the lack of availability of services. Interventions based on the study could give parents the ability to act as their children's direct service provider to fulfill a part their intervention needs, especially when a family is facing a discrepancy between need and service. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like thank the individual members of my committee who helped me come to the completion of my degree and to the beginning of a new career path. First, I want to give a special thank you to Dr. Mayton, my committee chair, for putting up with my "craziness" and steering me through this entire process. I want to thank Dr. Ludlow for accepting me into the program and believing in me. I want to thank Dr. Galyon-Keramidas who told me I could do this even when I believed I could not. I want to thank Dr. Hursh for his valuable input during my committee meetings. I also want to give thanks to Dr. Mitchem. She became my mentor during my Master's degree, encouraged me to obtain my doctorate, and has continued to guide into this new adventure. To my husband of 18 years, Del Suppo, Jr., words cannot express my gratitude for all of the support you have provided me throughout our lives together, and yes, I am finally done with school! Thank you for being the husband and father you are. To my two beautiful daughters, Lauren "Angel Baby" and Rebecca "Becca Boo," thank you for being the wonderful, inspirational kids that you are. Lauren, your kindness to others and determination to be the best in all that you do inspires mom every day. Becca, you changed our family's life and made us stronger, all while you continue to amaze all of us every day. I could not ask for two better daughters and thank God everyday for blessing me with my beautiful family. To my mom, Judy Mattozzi, my first mentor: you have continued to support me, mentor me, and above all else, love me. You showed me how to be both a mom and a teacher. To my brother, Jon Matt...

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that parents who have children diagnosed with autism can obtain and apply knowledge of a research-based support for their children by utilizing a prescribed, self-directed, online program, giving families another possible method of obtaining training to help meet the discrepancy that exists between need and service. The design was a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group, pretest-posttest design that was used to test knowledge obtained from treatment. Additionally, the researcher examined parents' application of knowledge and perceptions regarding the treatment. The results demonstrate that parents who receive training using this method can obtain and apply knowledge of a researchbased support. Furthermore, participant feedback indicates parental support for this method of obtaining knowledge. The results suggest that using a self-directed, online program may serve to give families another possible method of obtaining informational training. Using this method of parental instruction may help fill a portion of the gap between the need for services and the lack of availability of services. Interventions based on the study could give parents the ability to act as their children's direct service provider to fulfill a part their intervention needs, especially when a family is facing a discrepancy between need and service. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like thank the individual members of my committee who helped me come to the completion of my degree and to the beginning of a new career path. First, I want to give a special thank you to Dr. Mayton, my committee chair, for putting up with my "craziness" and steering me through this entire process. I want to thank Dr. Ludlow for accepting me into the program and believing in me. I want to thank Dr. Galyon-Keramidas who told me I could do this even when I believed I could not. I want to thank Dr. Hursh for his valuable input during my committee meetings. I also want to give thanks to Dr. Mitchem. She became my mentor during my Master's degree, encouraged me to obtain my doctorate, and has continued to guide into this new adventure. To my husband of 18 years, Del Suppo, Jr., words cannot express my gratitude for all of the support you have provided me throughout our lives together, and yes, I am finally done with school! Thank you for being the husband and father you are. To my two beautiful daughters, Lauren "Angel Baby" and Rebecca "Becca Boo," thank you for being the wonderful, inspirational kids that you are. Lauren, your kindness to others and determination to be the best in all that you do inspires mom every day. Becca, you changed our family's life and made us stronger, all while you continue to amaze all of us every day. I could not ask for two better daughters and thank God everyday for blessing me with my beautiful family. To my mom, Judy Mattozzi, my first mentor: you have continued to support me, mentor me, and above all else, love me. You showed me how to be both a mom and a teacher. To my brother, Jon Matt...

No abstract

No abstract