Journal Article

Moderating Effects of Parental Characteristics on the Effectiveness of a Theory of Mind Training for Children with Autism: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Wolf, Imke, Lindauer, Ramón, Howlin, Patricia, Koot, Hans M., de Veld, Danielle M. J., Hoddenbach, Elske, Begeer, Sander, Mulder, Fleur

2017

Overview

This RCT investigated whether the effect of a Theory of Mind (ToM) intervention for children with ASD was moderated by parental education level and employment, family structure, and parental ASD. Children with autism aged 8–13 years ( n  = 136) were randomized over a waitlist control or treatment condition. At posttest, children in the treatment condition had more ToM knowledge, showed fewer autistic features, and more ToM-related behavior than children in the control condition. Children who had one or two parents with at least a college degree, and children with parents not diagnosed with/suspected of having ASD themselves benefitted from the training. These findings provide valuable information about family variables that need to be taken into account in treatment design and implementation.

• Publisher: Springer US,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Agricultural Skills / Analysis / Autism / Autism Spectrum Disorders / Autistic children / Autistic Disorder - epidemiology / Autistic Disorder - rehabilitation / Autistic Disorder - therapy / Behavior Disorders / Behavior Problems / Behavioral Science and Psychology / Child / Child and School Psychology / Child Behavior / Child Development / Child Role / Child, Preschool / Children / Clinical trials / Cognition / Comparative Analysis / Control Groups / Developmental Psychology / Early Adolescents / Educational Attainment / Educational Status / Employment / Families & family life / Family Environment / Family Structure / Female / Foreign Countries / Generalization / Higher Education / Humans / Intervention / Knowledge Level / Learning outcomes / Male / Medical case management / Neurosciences / Obesity / Original Paper / Outcomes of Treatment / Parent Background / Parent Influence / Parent Participation / Parent Role / Parent School Relationship / Parent-child relations / Parents / Parents & parenting / Pediatrics / Pervasive Developmental Disorders / Planning / Pretests Posttests / Psychiatry / Psychology / Psychotherapy - methods / Public Health / Randomized Controlled Trials / Social aspects / Social Cognition / Statistical Analysis / Symptoms (Individual Disorders) / Theory of Mind / Training