Developing Integrative Programs of Autistic Child Parenting Skills and Determining its Effectiveness in Marital Satisfaction, Reducing Conflict in Parenting Style, and Parenting Sense of Competence

The purpose of this study was to develop and determine the effectiveness of integrative programs of autistic child parenting skills in increasing marital satisfaction, reducing conflict in parenting style, and growing the parenting sense of competence. Through investigating existing treatment methods and needs of the families with autistic children, a positive parenting program was treated as the main frame. The program was held in ten sessions of group therapy and four sessions of individual counseling with the presence of the couples and two counseling sessions specially designated for each and every family individually. The findings suggest improving the family performance to reduce the parental conflicts in parenting style, grow the parenting sense of competence, and satisfaction with parental role, but no significant effect was exerted on marital satisfaction increase. By implementing the program developed in this study, one could increase parenting style and grow the parenting sense of competence in autistic parents. The program developed in this study should be implemented in a way that counseling sessions focus on marital satisfaction.