Essential Topics for Parents of Children with Developmental Delays or Autism
Parents of children with developmental delays or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) should be taught structured educational approaches, communication strategies, behavioral interventions, and family support techniques to ensure optimal outcomes for their children. 1
Communication Interventions
- Parents should be trained in alternative communication modalities for children who do not yet use words, including Picture Exchange Communication System, sign language, activity schedules, and voice output communication aids 1
- For children with fluent speech but impaired pragmatic language skills, parents should learn techniques to enhance social reciprocity and pragmatic language development 1
- Parents should be taught to implement communication strategies appropriate to their child's developmental level:
- For infant/preschool level: guided participation, careful selection of play materials, and organization of environment to facilitate participation 1
- For school-age children: social stories, social skills groups, and peer network strategies 1
- For adolescents: visual schedules and verbal rehearsal techniques 1
Structured Educational Approaches
- Parents should understand the importance of structured educational approaches with explicit teaching methods tailored to their child's strengths and vulnerabilities 1
- Training should include how to implement intensive, individualized interventions with clear goals, objectives, and monitoring procedures 1
- Parents should learn about evidence-based educational models such as the Early Start Denver Model and the Treatment and Education of Autism and related Communication handicapped Children (TEACCH) program 1
- Parents should be taught to ensure generalization of skills across different settings and situations 1, 2
Behavioral Management Techniques
- Parents should be trained in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques, which have demonstrated efficacy for specific behavioral problems in ASD 1, 2
- Training should include how to perform functional analysis of target behaviors to identify patterns of reinforcement and develop appropriate behavioral techniques 2
- Parents should learn to implement Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention based on ABA principles, particularly for young children 1, 2
- Parents should be taught to use visual supports, planners, timers, and other assistive technology to help with organizational challenges 2
Understanding Child Development and Autism
- Parents should be educated about typical developmental milestones and how these may present differently in children with ASD 3
- Training should include recognition of early signs of developmental concerns to facilitate earlier intervention 4
- Parents should learn about the importance of joint attention skills and receptive language as predictors of progress in intervention programs 5
- Parents should understand how to recognize and address sensory sensitivities that may affect their child's behavior and learning 3
Family Support and Self-Care
- Parents should be taught strategies to manage the emotional challenges of raising a child with developmental delays or ASD 3
- Training should address common parental concerns such as feeling that their child is "more demanding" or "easily upset" than other children 3
- Parents should learn the importance of self-care and managing their own energy levels to effectively support their child 3
- Parents should be educated about available community resources and how to advocate for appropriate services for their child 2
Promoting Social Communication
- Parents should be trained in techniques to foster social communication development, which is often a primary target for early intervention in children under 3 years 1
- Training should include strategies to promote joint attention skills, which are associated with better outcomes in naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions 5
- Parents should learn how to create opportunities for language learning through responsive interactions 6
- Parents should understand how to maintain topic contingency and add new information during conversations with their children to support language development 6
Addressing Comorbidities
- Parents should be educated about common comorbidities in children with developmental delays or ASD, including anxiety, ADHD, and depression 2
- Training should include strategies to identify when apparent symptoms (like apathy) may actually reflect underlying communication difficulties 2
- Parents should learn to recognize and address challenging behaviors that may interfere with learning and social development 1
- Parents should understand how to work with healthcare providers to address medical issues that may impact their child's development and behavior 7