A controlled trial of a training course for parents of children with suspected autism spectrum disorder.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate a training course for parents, designed to help them understand autism spectrum disorder and to facilitate social communication with their young child. STUDY DESIGN Controlled trial for 51 children aged 24 to 48 months, whose parents received either immediate intervention or delayed access to the course. Outcome was measured 7 months after recruitment in parents' use of facilitative strategies, stress, adaptation to the child; and in children's vocabulary size, behavior problems, and social communication skills. RESULTS Taking into account scores at recruitment, child's level of ability, diagnostic grouping, and the interval between assessments, a significant advantage was found for the intervention group in parents' observed use of facilitative strategies and in children's vocabulary size. CONCLUSIONS The training course is well received by parents and has a measurable effect on both parents' and children's communication skills.