Evaluation of caregiver training via telecommunication for rural Icelandic children with autism.

Abstract

This article describes the development and results of behavioral training via telecommunication for three caregivers of children with autism. A single-subject, multiple baseline experimental design, replicated across caregivers, preschool children with autism, and tasks, was used to evaluate the effects of the training. Dependent measures were collected in vivo and via telecommunication and included parent, teacher, and child responses during naturalistic play. The intervention involved teaching caregivers methods to increase children's sociocommunicative behavior. Both child and caregiver behaviors increased during intervention and follow-up observations. The results indicate that training via telecommunication is a promising alternative for families that do not have access to evidence-based intervention and expertise. The results are discussed in the context of technological benefits and difficulties during data based consulting. Further development is important to understand technological variables that enhance or hinder the progress of rural children and their caregivers.

A systematic review of cultural adaptations in the global application of ABA‐based telehealth services

“…Translated Materials. Seven studies (Alnemary et al, 2015;Dai et al, 2018;Guðmundsdóttir et al, 2017;Guðmundsdóttir et al, 2018;Lee, 2015;Neely et al, 2020;Tsami et al, 2019) reported using translated materials either during the baseline phase or the training phase of the study. These studies used different methods for the translation process.…”

Current Trends in Telehealth Applications to Deliver Social Communication Interventions for Young Children with or at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Another significant trend we observed was the extensive reach of telehealth, with many studies actively recruiting children who resided in rural regions and through intercontinental training of interventionists and families. Multiple studies recruited and included families who resided in rural areas [ 19 •, 20 •, 21 •, 22 •, 37 •]. For example, RUBI ASD Network Parent Training was delivered through synchronous video-conferencing between a clinic and a satellite site clinic [ 22 •].…”

“…Barkaia et al demonstrated successful intercontinental coaching to early intervention providers in Eastern European countries, resulting in improvements in intervention provider implementation and increases in children’s requests and vocal imitation [ 38 •]. Guðmundsdóttir et al demonstrated effective training on a naturalistic intervention sequence over synchronous telehealth to families and a special education teacher in a rural Icelandic location [ 37 •]. Tsami et al examined the acceptability and feasibility of FCT with 18 parent-child dyads from multiple countries, recruiting children with parents who did not speak or understand English [ 28 •].…”

“…Tsami et al examined the acceptability and feasibility of FCT with 18 parent-child dyads from multiple countries, recruiting children with parents who did not speak or understand English [ 28 •]. Recommendations for international telehealth-delivered intervention include (a) recruiting of interpreters who were from the same country as the family [ 28 •]; (b) being flexible with using the technology and video-conferencing platform that families have access to and prefer, as this may vary by country [ 37 •]; and (c) anticipating the potential for connectivity problems [ 37 •, 38 •].

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Effectiveness and acceptability of parent training via telehealth among families around the world

“…In a similar study, Guðmundsdóttir, Sigurðardóttir, and Ala'i‐Rosales () used telehealth to train a caregiver to promote the language of a child with autism in rural Iceland. The experimenter also occasionally conducted some in‐situ training sessions.…”