Contextual Intervention Adapted for Autism Spectrum Disorder: An RCT of a Parenting Program with Parents of Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effects of a manualized Contextual Intervention adapted for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CI-ASD), and essential elements of the intervention in promoting children’s participation and mothers’ parenting self-efficacy. MATERIALS & METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, conducted in Tehran, Iran in 2017, participants (36 parents of children with ASD) were randomly assigned to wait-list control or intervention groups. The intervention comprised contextually reflective occupational therapy combines 3 elements: sensory processing patterns, coaching, and social support. We provided the program to promote child’s participation and parent’s efficiency. During phase 1, the participants in the intervention group received CI-ASD as long as Treatment As Usual (TAU) and during phase 2 they received TAU only. We completed the outcome measures at three-time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up). We conducted semi-structured interviews post-intervention to explore acceptability of intervention and participants’ experiences of CI-ASD. RESULTS: CI-ASD can produce meaningful effects in eliminating sensory issues, promoting child participation and parenting efficiency in ASD families, compared to TAU. Parents reported high levels of acceptance and also confirmed the family’s achievements. CONCLUSION: These gains suggest CI-ASD as an effective intervention for children who have ASD and their families, but further studies are needed to declare and generalize the findings over time. Estimated effect sizes were in the large and medium ranges and favored the intervention group.