Audiology and Speech Pathology - Theses
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ItemAn Evaluation of Telepractice Delivery of an Autism Social Communication Intervention to Parent Groups( 2022)Approximately one in 100 children are diagnosed with autism globally (Zeidan et al., 2022). Social communication is a core challenge for children with autism, and research confirms that early intervention, if applied consistently and intensively, can be effective in improving the social communication and development skills of these children. Families may experience barriers such as availability, cost, and geographical isolation in accessing early intervention services. Telepractice can address these barriers by increasing access to intervention services and decreasing the time and costs associated with face-to-face delivery. Parent-implemented intervention approaches can also increase intervention consistency and intensity for children with autism. Evidence shows that telepractice can successfully overcome service barriers and be acceptable to parents. Parent-implemented intervention approaches have been shown to be effective in supporting child skill development. Research investigating these approaches has often been applied with individual families, yet limited literature exists on telepractice interventions for parent groups. This research aimed to investigate a group telepractice approach to delivering a social communication intervention to parents called Hanen More Than Words (HMTW). The research comprised two individual studies. Study 1 focused on feasibility. It tested and selected suitable technology and then piloted delivery of the telepractice HMTW group intervention to two parents and their children with autism. Observation of group training and individual video-feedback sessions, along with participant interviews, enabled qualitative analysis of both the telepractice approach and participant perceptions. Study 2 used a multiple-baseline-across-groups design to evaluate parent and child communication outcomes and parent perceptions following participation in the intervention. Eleven parent–child dyads participated in one of three telepractice HMTW groups. Repeated coding and counting of parent–child interaction videos across research phases enabled quantitative analysis of social communication outcomes. Quantitative and qualitative measures evaluated parent perceptions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and pre- to postintervention comparison of parenting stress. Open responses were analysed qualitatively using directed content analysis. Study 1 demonstrated that the telepractice HMTW group intervention was feasible. Results indicated that delivery to larger parent groups was viable, with potential to improve parent and child social communication. Study 2 results demonstrated increases in parental responsiveness and child social communication following participation in telepractice HMTW. Parents reported satisfaction with HMTW and the telepractice approach; increased insight into their own behaviours and their children’s behaviours; positive changes in strategy implementation and confidence; and improvements in child communication, responsiveness, interaction, and play. There were no significant differences in pre- to postintervention parental stress levels. The results of this research support the application of telepractice for delivering the HMTW group intervention. Social communication outcome measures found that participation in telepractice HMTW led to improvement in parent and child social communication. Parent perception measures revealed that telepractice HMTW was acceptable and perceived to have positive outcomes for both parents and children. Expanding telepractice service delivery from individual- to group-based intervention has the potential to increase service choice for families and to mitigate service access barriers. The findings highlight the importance of pursuing ongoing service innovations and evaluating service user perceptions.