Using the prevent-teach-reinforce model to reduce challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder in home settings : a feasibility study

Abstract

Background. Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often engage in high levels of challenging behaviors, which can be difficult to reduce for parents in home settings. The purpose of our study was to address this issue by examining the effects of adapting the Prevent-Teach-Reinforce model (PTR) to support parents in reducing challenging behaviors in children with ASD in a feasibility study. Method. We conducted a non-blinded randomized trial to compare the effect of the PTR to a business as usual, less intensive intervention (i.e., 3-hr training) on challenging and desirable behaviors (N = 24). Results. The PTR and the 3-hr parental training both reduced challenging behaviors and increased desirable behaviors. Moreover, parents implemented the PTR model with high fidelity and rated it highly for social acceptability. Conclusions. This feasibility study showed that it is possible to compare the PTR with families to a less intensive intervention in a future trial. However, research with a larger sample is essential to determine whether the PTR is more effective than less intensive treatments (e.g., parent training)