ISSN:
1365-2214
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
,
Psychology
Notes:
Background Although international interest in intensive home-based early behavioural intervention for children with autism is increasing, there is little or no published research on the experiences of families conducting these programmes.Methods One hundred and forty-one UK parents conducting Lovaas-style interventions with their young child with autism were asked to identify factors that acted as facilitative factors and barriers to the implementation of these programmes. Parents responded to written questions contained within a questionnaire survey, and their responses were subjected to a content analysis procedure.Results Several of the facilitative factors and barriers were found to be similar. For example, a supportive therapy team was the most frequently cited facilitative factor, and problems recruiting and maintaining a suitable team was the most frequently reported barrier. Other factors seemed to be more independent constructs. For example, an important barrier was the lack of time and personal energy, but plenty of time and energy was not cited as a facilitative factor.Conclusions The practical implications of these results for families and for services supporting families engaged in intensive early behavioural intervention are discussed. In addition, more general implications for the designers of behavioural intervention programmes are identified.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2214.2002.00251.x
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