Parent Behaviors in Relation to Characteristics of Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders (original) (raw)

Abstract

Emotional self-regulation (ESR) challenges are well documented in the developmental profiles of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); however, less is known about the development of ESR and the role of parents in ESR development for this population. This study explored the associations between diagnostically significant characteristics of children with ASD (i.e., social communication profile and sensory processing abilities) and parent behaviors associated with development of a child's ESR. Participants were 37 children previously diagnosed with ASD and their parents recruited throughout Southern New England. The children's ages ranged between 30-48 months. The study was a cross sectional design involving observations of parentchild dyads in their home environment during naturalistic routines: free play, social communication assessment, and snack. Observations were video recorded for subsequent coding using combined event/ time sampling procedures. Parent behaviors included physical engaging and helping, language-based engaging and helping, redirection/distraction, vocal comfort, physical comfort, language-based comfort, emotional following, and active ignoring. Children's social communication abilities were assessed using the Communication Symbolic Behavior Scales-Developmental Profile (Wetherby & Prizant, 2002) and their sensory processing abilities were assessed using the Sensory Processing Measure-Preschool Home form (Ecker & Parham, 2010). A demographic questionnaire was also completed by the parent. I am sincerely grateful to my committee for their time and efforts spent on my behalf. In particular, I would like to thank Leslie Mahler for her encouragement, dedication, and thoughtful input related to my research. I would also like to thank Ellen Flannery-Schroeder for her guidance and enthusiasm for this work. In addition, I am grateful for the continued support and genuine interest expressed by Margaret Rogers and Donna Schwartz-Barcott. This work was also accomplished with the help of many research assistants. Each one contributing in meaningful ways. I am grateful to all of them; Heather,

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