Implementation of Incredible Years Autism Parenting Programme:
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Implementation of a Modified Incredible Years Parenting Programme for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and/or Developmental Delay: A Pilot Study
IRAS ID
172579
Contact name
Helen Healy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bangor University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) present with significant impairments in areas of language, social communication and also display restricted or repetitive behaviours or interests. The last 20 years has seen a steady increase in the estimated prevalence of ASD in childhood and recent estimates within the UK is approximately 1% with many pre- school children receiving early diagnoses. Children with ASD or Developmental Delay (DD) very often have associated difficulties including hyperactivity, anxiety, hypersensitivity to sounds and materials, sleeping difficulties and emotional regulation challenges. Thus parent strain and burden are high in families parenting children with ASD and or DD and there is clear need for effective early forms of intervention to support families.
Parent training programmes have offered significant benefits to children with ASD and/ or DD by improving parent –child interactions, enhancing parent responsiveness during play and promoting verbal/non verbal communication skills in early childhood. The Incredible Years Parenting Programme is a group-based programme that offers developmentally appropriate interventions to parents, children and teachers. The basic programme has been adapted for use with parents whose children have a diagnosis of ASD and/or DD with very promising results. Parents reported less stress following completion of the 11-week programme and felt that the content and delivery of the programme was appropriate for their needs.
The aim of this study is to run this programme with parents in order to promote children's emotional regulation, social competence, language skills, school readiness and relationships with others.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
15/WA/0067
Date of REC Opinion
23 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion