Incredible Years Program for Parents of Children With Autism

"The Incredible Years" refers to a suite of developmentally appropriate, group-based
interventions targeting parenting, children, and teachers. IY-ASD is an adapted version of
the Basic parent training program, which uses a simple and low-cost format to develop skills
in problem-solving coping, stress management, and communication. "The Incredible Years" has
decades of evidence pointing to improved levels of parent stress, depression, and coping
skills, as well as decreased negative child outcomes such as aggressive behavior in a broad
array of diverse populations. The program has been used extensively in the United Kingdom and
Sweden. Cost-effectiveness analyses have been performed with positive results in England.
"The Incredible Years" is based on attachment theory and social learning theory.The goals of
"The Incredible Years" parent intervention - communication, problem-solving, and stress
management - are critically important to this population. Parents with children with special
needs tend to interact with teachers, healthcare professionals, and other adults more often
than parents whose children do not have disabilities. Thus, building a strong foundation
early to begin to problem solve, communicate effectively, and navigate healthcare and special
education systems can reduce some stress the parent might experience in the future.

The Incredible Years Parent Program for Autism Spectrum and Language Delays (IY-ASD). IY-ASD
will be delivered over a 14-week period. The current research aims to rigorously test IY-ASD
in a community-based setting using a randomized design. The investigators will compare IY-ASD
to a usual practice, a parent support group currently offered at Onslow County Partnership
for Children, "Circle of Parents." "Circle of Parents" is an open group which is led by a
parent leader. These groups generally meet weekly or biweekly. Participants are encouraged to
share resources and other support both during groups, and between meetings. Free childcare
and meals are also offered during "Circle of Parents" meetings. Using a randomized design,
the investigators will evaluate a parent intervention for caregivers of children with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD), compared to a parent support group. Over a four-year period, the
investigators seek to:

1. Recruit approximately 105 parents and other primary caregivers to participate in either
an IY-ASD or "Circle of Parents" group;

2. Measure parenting stress, parent coping mechanisms, parenting practices, and child
behavior of participants and their children, at baseline and posttest (pre- and
post-intervention);

3. Compare outcomes of parents completing IY-ASD versus those in "Circle of Parents" group;

4. Evaluate changes in parent and child outcomes from post-intervention to 3-month
follow-up in IY-ASD participants; and,

5. Elicit information from IY-ASD participants to assess satisfaction and improve future
use of IY-ASD in the ASD population.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Parent or primary caregiver of a child ages 2 to 8 with an autism spectrum disorder

- Must live in Onslow County or surrounding county

Exclusion Criteria:

- Parent is younger than 18 years old