Evaluation of a parent-based behavioral intervention program for children with autism in a low-resource setting

BACKGROUND: Intensive behavioral intervention programs are recommended for children with autism. However, in resource-constraint settings, such programs are largely inaccessible, and there is an urgent need for development of low-cost interventions. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of a parent-based behavioral intervention program in Indian autistic children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen children with autistic disorder undergoing the intervention for at least six months were enrolled. The mean development, social, expressive, and receptive language quotients, and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) scores were compared before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The average duration of therapy was 19.5±11.78 months. There was a significant improvement in the development quotient (P=0.015), social quotient (P=0.004), expressive language quotient (P=0.03), CARS (P=0.001), and ABC (P=0.014) scores. CONCLUSION: Parent-based behavioral intervention programs have a promising role in management of children with autism in resource-constraint settings.