Training Staff and Parents: Evidence-Based Approaches

Abstract

The benefits of relying on evidence-based treatment for people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have become increasingly apparent. Most notably, reliance on treatment approaches with an established evidence base significantly enhances the likelihood that treatment will be effective and desired outcomes will result for people with ASD. Although controversy continues over what represents a sufficient evidence base in some cases, it is clear that many treatment strategies currently exist for people with ASD that are well supported by scientific evidence. The purpose of this chapter is to describe what constitutes an evidence-based approach to training staff and parents. The intent is to summarize what research has demonstrated to represent effective means of training caregivers. Common obstacles to providing effective caregiver training will also be reviewed. Recommended ways to overcome such obstacles likewise will be presented, along with suggested directions for future research. The premise for the latter discussion is that although an evidence-based approach to training staff and parents currently exists, common practice in many settings is not evidence-based and caregivers are not well prepared to provide desired supports and services for people with ASD. Consequently, continued investigation in this area is warranted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved). (chapter)