A Case Study of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Comorbid disruptive behavior disorders occur in up to 80% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children with ASD often present as inattentive, noncompliant, and aggressive, making it difficult for them to engage in learning and social activities across settings. Parents and school staff report spending excessive time managing disruptive behaviors at the expense of engaging these children in meaningful skill development. Identifying effective interventions to decrease disruptive behaviors and increase positive skill development is of critical importance to improving outcomes for children with ASD. This case study presents the effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, an evidence-based intervention for young children with disruptive behavior, for addressing behavioral problems in a 7-year-old boy with ASD. Results suggested improvements in child compliance and decrease in disruptive behaviors. Further, parents increased their use of positive parenting strategies, including giving effective commands all of which serve to improve the parent-child relationship. Treatment implications for working with young children with ASD are discussed.

Distilling Common History and Practice Elements to Inform Dissemination: Hanf-Model BPT Programs as an Example

“…Evidence to suggest the promise of Hanf-Model BPT programs stems largely from case study designs (Agazzi, Tan & Tan, 2013; Eyberg & Funderburk, 2011; Sheperis, Sheperis, Monceaux, Davis, & Lopez, 2015), which have shown decreases in disruptive behavior, as well as increases in effective communication; however, the efficacy of BPT may depend on the severity of the child’s symptoms. Perhaps most notably, children with more severe autism may have significant problems adapting to the child directed play component of BPT, which may feel less comfortable for children who find interpersonal contexts less reinforcing (or not reinforcing at all), as well as Time Out, which may be a less effective consequence for those for whom isolation is preferred (Dababnah & Parish, 2014).…”

Examination of Parental Tolerance Among Parents of Young Children with and without ASD

“…These findings can inform current treatments that work with the parent-child dyad to address maladaptive behaviors within an ASD population (Agazzi et al 2013;Brestan et al 2003;Murrell and Scherbarth 2006). For example, ParentChild Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and parent management training (PMT) are empirically supported and manualized interventions that target the parent child relationship, discipline practices, and disruptive behaviors (Agazzi et al 2013;Eyberg and Funderburk 2011;Kazdin 1997;Kazdin 2017;Masse et al 2007;Solomon et al 2008;Zlomke et al 2017).…”

“…For example, ParentChild Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and parent management training (PMT) are empirically supported and manualized interventions that target the parent child relationship, discipline practices, and disruptive behaviors (Agazzi et al 2013;Eyberg and Funderburk 2011;Kazdin 1997;Kazdin 2017;Masse et al 2007;Solomon et al 2008;Zlomke et al 2017). Parents of girls and boys with or without a diagnosis of ASD may differ in their level of tolerance, which could influence their willingness or ability to engage in behavioral parent treatment.…”

Parenting Strategies Used by Parents of Children with ASD: Differential Links with Child Problem Behaviour

“…Qualitative accounts describe unsuccessful attempts to use negative reinforcement (e.g. punishment or time-out), resulting in the child maintaining or escalating problem behaviour (e.g., Agazzi et al 2013;Armstrong et al 2015;Lucyshyn et al 2007). An observational study reported that, instead of punishing non-compliance during routine activities, parents of children with developmental disabilities responded with forbearance: providing assistance and reducing demands (Lucyshyn et al 2004).…”