Brief Report: Feasibility of a Virtual Program for Caregivers with Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

The purpose was to determine the feasibility of a virtual NET intervention for caregivers to promote positive interactions between caregivers and autistic children. Weekly,12 dyads participated in 30-minute group Zooms® in addition to a pre-recorded video and a five questions knowledge check through an online module. Post-intervention, participants completed a semi-structured interview. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test demonstrated statistical significance between pre-and-post scores on the FMI (z = 2.041, p = .041) with a large effect size (r = .42). The ease and convenience of the intervention were supported in the three thematic categories as defined by caregiver perspectives and intervention documents.

Keywords:

• Autism
• feasibility
• naturalistic environment teaching (NET)
• parent/caregiver training
• virtual platform

Disclosure statement

We have no known conflict to interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This work was made possible by Dr. Sharon Milberger and Department of Health and Human Services, Administration For Community Living (90DDUC0005-05-00).