Telehealth parent coaching to improve daily living skills for children with ASD

To determine whether challenging behavior in young children with autism and other developmental disabilities can be treated successfully at lower cost by using telehealth to train parents to implement applied behavior analysis (ABA).

Studies involving the use of telepractice in the delivery of services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were reviewed with the intent to inform practice and identify areas for future research. Systematic searches of electronic databases, reference lists and journals identified eight studies that met pre-determined inclusion criteria. These studies were analysed and summarized in terms of the: (a) characteristics of the participants, (b) technology utilized, (c) services delivered via telepractice, (d) research methodology and (e) results of the study. Telepractice was used by university-based researchers, behaviour analysts, psychiatrists and psychologists to assist caretakers and educators in the delivery of services to 46 participants with ASD. The services delivered included behavioural and diagnostic assessments, educational consulting, guidance and supervision of behavioural interventions and coaching/training in the implementation of a comprehensive early intervention programme. Results suggests telepractice is a promising service delivery approach in the treatment of individuals with ASD that warrants additional research. Guidelines for practitioners and potential directions for future research are discussed.