Construction of Therapeutic Plan (Autism Integrated Treatment Program with Family) and Comparison of the Effectiveness of (Multiple Special Skills Training) on Perceived Stress Reactivity in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The purpose of this study was to formulate a therapeutic program (integrated autism with family) and compare its effectiveness with (multiple skill training) on perceived stress reactivity in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder.

The research method was quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with control and follow-up group, as well as exploratory mixed data type. The statistical population in the qualitative section consisted of 12 experts who were selected by purposive sampling. Also, the statistical population in the quantitative part included 45 mothers of children with autism who were matched in two groups of experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) using simple random sampling method. The autism group was integrated with the family for 8 sessions of 90 minutes and the experimental group for multiple special skills was trained for 8 sessions of 90 minutes. The data collection tool was exploratory in the qualitative part of semi-structured individual interviews. In the quantitative part, the Perceived Stress Response Questionnaire was used to collect data (Schultz et al., 2011). To analyze the data, the qualitative part of the content analysis and in the quantitative part through descriptive and inferential statistics (exploratory factor analysis,  analysis of covariance) were analyzed.

Findings showed that among the components of the integrated autism treatment program with the family included individual characteristics of parents, parent-child relationship, parental mental health, family, extra-family, parent-parent relationship, family knowledge about autism and stigma. Based on the identified dimensions and components, the research model had a good fit. The results showed that family-based autism treatment program training and multiple special skills training reduced the responsiveness to perceived stress in mothers of children with autism during the pilot sessions. It should be noted that the recovery process in the autism group is more integrated with the family.

Therefore, the use of these interventions and educational programs is recommended as a way to reduce stress in parents of children with autism.