Feasibility of Parents of Children with Autism Using an Applied Behavior Analytic Early Treatment Program : A Preliminary Study in Malaysia

Abstract

The purposes of the present study were to investigate the resources for formal and informal support for families of children with autism in Malaysia, and, with those findings, study the possibility of Malaysian parents conducting an applied behavior analysis-based treatment program in their homes. A questionnaire survey was conducted of 119 parents who were members of parents' support groups, and intensive interviews were done with 8 parents who responded to the survey and were already using an applied behavior analytic program. The questionnaire results revealed that most of the parents had learned about applied behavior analysis from books or the Internet and had no formal training, and that they were searching for experts to advise them in its use. During the intensive interviews, all the parents reported that they could learn about teaching methods from an applied behavior analysis program. On the other hand, most of them pointed out difficulties in understanding the contents of the program and in confirming whether they could really communicate with their children. To overcome these difficulties, the parents' support groups provided general information and shared the teaching techniques of applied behavior analysis with their members. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)