Outcomes for families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder involved in early intervention

This study explored outcomes in families with young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who were involved in either the DIR/Floortime intervention program or other interventions (i.e., Intensive Behavioural Intervention, etc). Families in both groups were given the Autism Spectrum Disorder Family Outcomes Questionnaire before and after 10 months of intervention.;Thirty-six families from Ontario who were involved in a larger DIR/Floortime child outcome study through the Milton and Ethel Harris Research Initiative at York University participated. Parents rated their perceptions of family status on a set of outcomes identified in the literature as expected or reported benefits from participation in early intervention upon entry and then after ten months of intervention. The DIR/Floortime intervention approach (with its focus on parents as the primary interventionists and where the goal is to educate parents on strategies to improve the social, emotional and communicative reciprocal relationship) produced more positive family outcomes than the families in the comparison group receiving a combination of other interventions. Findings provide a description of how families are doing overall in outcome areas after 10 months of intervention. Additionally, a phenomenological approach was used to uncover families' perceptions of the effects of autism spectrum disorder and early intervention on the family and personal life through the open ended questions on the ASDFOQ (Mastrangelo, 2008). Results indicate several positive family outcomes for those in the DIR/Floortime group including empowerment and pulling together as a family—both associated with resiliency.