Objectives: The current study examined the effectiveness of a parent-implemented self-management intervention to target higher-order RIRBs (i.e., restricted interests and repetitive behaviors) in children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The intervention incorporated an empirically supported, motivation-based behavioral intervention for autism spectrum disorder—Pivotal Response Treatment. Furthermore, changes in children’s behavioral flexibility were examined in relation to child affect and RIRB symptoms, child and parent engagement, parent affect and confidence, and overall family functioning.
Methods: A non-concurrent multiple baseline across participants time series research design was implemented with measures collected longitudinally to assess the effectiveness of a parent-implemented self-management intervention on child, parent, and family measures. Children diagnosed with autism and Asperger Disorder aged 4 to 6 participated in the study.
Results: The results indicate that improvements in behavioral flexibility, along with collateral gains in observed child affect, parent and child engagement, observed parent affect and confidence, global measures of child RIRB symptoms, and family functioning occurred with the implementation of the intervention. Evidence of the generalization of intervention effects was observed.
Conclusions: Interventions to address impairments in behavioral flexibility may provide insight into the impact of expanding the behavioral repertoire of children with ASD and how doing so may play a pivotal role in the overall well-being of children and their families.