Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | First-line Multifamily Therapy for newly diagnosed Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: parental impact |
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| Contribution code | D2.021 |
| Authors | |
| Form of presentation | Poster |
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| Abstract |
Aims : Autism spectrum disorder is a major source of stress for parents who must cope with the diagnosis and the day-to-day management of symptoms. Multi-family therapy (MFT) is a therapeutic approach that brings together several parents and children with similar disorders. It provides an opportunity to share experiences and mutual support, to break and to learn new perspectives and ways of dealing with the problem. MFT in autism is emerging and this study is to assess the impact of early post-diagnosis MFT on parents' experiences. Methods : An experimental 8 weekly-sessions MFT program has been designed for parents and newly diagnosed toddlers after an initial assessment in an outpatient clinic. It has included experiential parent-child workshops and a reflective group for the parents, as well as a social developmental group for the children. MFT were pass was social relationships, sensory processing disorders, communication difficulties, managing daily life and challenging behaviors. The qualitative assessment of parental experiences was carried out through a focus group with recording, transcription and speech phenomenological analysis. Results and conclusions : Ten families were included. Children average age was 3.83 years (SD = 0.72). 60% had comorbidities, i.e. Intellectual Disability. 90% of children attended school or daycare. Parents who were in couples (90%) or separated, they aged was 38 years (SD = 6.8), and 54.5% were professionally active. The first results of outcomes revealed an improvement in the parenting sense of skills, as well a better acceptance of the autism diagnosis. |