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The use of a mobile app parent training program to improve functional communication in children with autism spectrum disorder
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Type
Thesis
Author
Law, Gloria Chun Yi
Supervisor
Neihart, Maureen
Dutt, Anuradha Salil Kumar
Abstract
Communication intervention in early life can significantly impact long term outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, limited resources and high costs have hindered children from receiving prompt and timely intervention. Parents of children with ASD can be vital and important intervention resources, and training them to be therapists can help reduce costs for intervention. The current study aims to evaluate the use of a mobile application as a training medium to disseminate intervention skills of naturalistic language intervention to parents effectively and efficiently.
The primary purpose of this research is to examine the effectiveness of using a mobile application (a) to train parents to implement naturalistic language intervention with their young child with ASD; and (b) to increase their child’s spontaneous communication and requesting language skills.
This study utilized a sequential mixed method design with the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. In Study 1, ten local parents were interviewed on their intervention journey with their child with ASD. The results of this qualitative inquiry informed the development of the mobile app parent training program. Then a mobile app was developed with the instructional design of behavioral modeling training (BMT) to deliver a curriculum of naturalistic language intervention. In Study 2, a multiple baseline single case experimental design was conducted across three parents and their children with ASD aged 2 to 5 years to evaluate the impact of the mobile app as a training tool for delivering naturalistic language intervention. Behaviors of both parents (10 parent behaviors) and children (5 child behaviors) were measured in 5 phases: baseline, parent training, post-training intervention, novel settings and 1 month follow up. Interobserver agreement (IOA) on target parent behaviors and child behaviors were collected for at least 33% of total sessions and an average agreement of over 85% was achieved. Procedural integrity of parents’ intervention techniques were above 80% on average during post training intervention. Parents’ acceptability of the mobile app and program satisfaction ratings were administered with survey forms.
Results indicate that (a) parents achieved an increase in knowledge on the principles of naturalistic language intervention via the mobile application during the course of parent training; (b) parents showed an increase in the application of intervention techniques in naturalistic settings; and (c) their respective children showed an increase in spontaneous word use. The results show that mobile applications are a promising means for improving efficiency and effectiveness in disseminating evidence-based practices for ASD intervention. Mobile platforms will close the research-practice gap, multiply intervention resources in both developed and developing countries for individuals with ASD, and provide prompt intervention without delays.
The primary purpose of this research is to examine the effectiveness of using a mobile application (a) to train parents to implement naturalistic language intervention with their young child with ASD; and (b) to increase their child’s spontaneous communication and requesting language skills.
This study utilized a sequential mixed method design with the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. In Study 1, ten local parents were interviewed on their intervention journey with their child with ASD. The results of this qualitative inquiry informed the development of the mobile app parent training program. Then a mobile app was developed with the instructional design of behavioral modeling training (BMT) to deliver a curriculum of naturalistic language intervention. In Study 2, a multiple baseline single case experimental design was conducted across three parents and their children with ASD aged 2 to 5 years to evaluate the impact of the mobile app as a training tool for delivering naturalistic language intervention. Behaviors of both parents (10 parent behaviors) and children (5 child behaviors) were measured in 5 phases: baseline, parent training, post-training intervention, novel settings and 1 month follow up. Interobserver agreement (IOA) on target parent behaviors and child behaviors were collected for at least 33% of total sessions and an average agreement of over 85% was achieved. Procedural integrity of parents’ intervention techniques were above 80% on average during post training intervention. Parents’ acceptability of the mobile app and program satisfaction ratings were administered with survey forms.
Results indicate that (a) parents achieved an increase in knowledge on the principles of naturalistic language intervention via the mobile application during the course of parent training; (b) parents showed an increase in the application of intervention techniques in naturalistic settings; and (c) their respective children showed an increase in spontaneous word use. The results show that mobile applications are a promising means for improving efficiency and effectiveness in disseminating evidence-based practices for ASD intervention. Mobile platforms will close the research-practice gap, multiply intervention resources in both developed and developing countries for individuals with ASD, and provide prompt intervention without delays.
Date Issued
2016
Call Number
BF637.C45 Law
Date Submitted
2016