Parent-Mediated Targeted Intervention for Young Children at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions for young children at risk autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may improve key developmental skills and remediate early ASD signs. Parents of 3 (19, 23, 26 months old) showing possible signs participated. The Parent Observation Early Markers Scale (POEMS) identified specific child concerns confirmed in baseline observations. Multiple designs across parent behaviors evaluated a parent-mediated behavioral intervention, called Intervention Children At-Risk Autism (PICARA), to increase targeted (e.g., responding name, imitation, requesting). received individual training their home 1 hr per week over 12, 18, 29 sessions, respectively, based on the number trained performance. All improved were maintained 46-, 12-, 6-week follow-up periods, respectively. With training, parents be able deficits often seen with ASD.