The effects of JASPER intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110191
Author(s):  
Hannah Waddington ◽  
Jess E Reynolds ◽  
Ella Macaskill ◽  
Sally Curtis ◽  
Lauren J Taylor ◽  
...  

Naturalistic developmental behavioural interventions are promising approaches for young children with, or suspected of having, autism spectrum disorder. Joint attention, symbolic play, engagement and regulation intervention (JASPER) is a well-researched naturalistic developmental behavioural intervention but, to date, no reviews have specifically evaluated its effects. This systematic literature review examined the effects of JASPER intervention and its components on child, parent and educator outcomes. Of the 96 articles screened, 19 were eligible for inclusion in the review. Most studies found that children who received JASPER intervention showed significantly greater improvements in at least one outcome related to child joint attention, joint engagement, play skills and language skills compared to the comparison group. Implementation outcomes for parents and educators were generally positive. There were no consistent predictors or mediators of treatment effects. None of the studies met all of the quality indicators outlined by the Council of Exceptional Children, and the majority of outcome measures were classified as proximal. Overall, JASPER intervention appears promising in improving child outcomes directly targeted during treatment. More research is needed to determine whether it is also effective in improving a wider range of outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder. Lay abstract Interventions which are delivered in natural contexts and use both developmental and behavioural techniques may be helpful for children with, or suspected of having, autism spectrum disorder. Joint attention, symbolic play, engagement and regulation (JASPER) is a type of intervention, which falls under this category. Although several studies have examined the effects of JASPER, this has not yet been summarised in a review. This systematic literature review examined the effects of JASPER intervention, and the techniques that make up JASPER, on child, parent and educator outcomes. We screened 96 articles and, of these, 19 were included in the review. Most studies found that children who received JASPER intervention showed significantly greater improvements in at least one outcome related to child joint attention, joint engagement, play skills, and language skills compared to children who did not receive JASPER intervention. Parents and educators were mostly able to use the JASPER techniques. There were no consistent child, parent, teacher or treatment characteristics that influenced the effects of the JASPER intervention. None of the studies met all of the indicators of being a good quality study outlined by the Council of Exceptional Children. Overall, JASPER intervention appears promising in improving child outcomes directly targeted during treatment. More research is needed to determine whether it is also effective in improving a wider range of outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110331
Author(s):  
Weiwen Zeng ◽  
Sandy Magaña ◽  
Kristina Lopez ◽  
Yue Xu ◽  
J Marisol Marroquín

This study examined maintenance of treatment effects in a culturally tailored parent education program for Latinx families of children with autism spectrum disorder using a behavior maintenance framework. In a two-site randomized waitlist-control study, we compared differences in parent and child outcomes across three timepoints using linear mixed models to determine whether outcomes observed at 4 months after baseline (Time 2) were maintained for an additional 4-month period (Time 3). Parent outcomes included family empowerment, self-reported confidence in, and frequency of using evidence-based strategies. Child outcomes included parent-reported challenging behaviors, social communication impairments, and the number of services received. Participants were 109 Latina mothers (intervention = 54, control = 55) of children with autism spectrum disorder. Results showed that at Time 3, mothers in the intervention groups reported significantly greater confidence in and frequency of using evidence-based strategies, and that their child received significantly more services. Site-specific treatment differences were found in outcomes such as parent-reported empowerment and child social communication impairments. Findings suggest that the intervention for Latinx parents of children with autism spectrum disorder was efficacious and could be maintained, and that site-specific policy and service differences may need to be examined in future research to inform dissemination and implementation. Lay abstract Background: We conducted a follow-up investigation of a two-site randomized controlled trial in the United States. We examined whether the treatment effects in a culturally tailored parent education program for Latinx families of children with autism spectrum disorder were maintained over time. Methods: Using linear mixed models, we compared differences in parent and child outcomes across three timepoints: baseline, 4 months after baseline (Time 2), and 8 months after baseline (T3). Parent outcomes included family empowerment, self-reported confidence in, and frequency of using evidence-based strategies. Child outcomes included parent-reported challenging behaviors, social communication impairments, and the number of services received. Participants were 109 Latina mothers (intervention = 54, control = 55) of children with autism spectrum disorder. Results: After intervention at both Time 2 and Time 3 in both sites, mothers in the intervention groups reported significantly greater confidence in and frequency of using evidence-based strategies, and that their child received significantly more services. We also found that there were treatment differences across the two study sites in several outcomes. Implications: The intervention for Latinx parents of children with autism spectrum disorder was efficacious and could be maintained, and that site-specific policy and service differences may need to be examined in future research to inform dissemination and implementation.


Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 603-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila F Bagaiolo ◽  
Jair de J Mari ◽  
Daniela Bordini ◽  
Tatiane C Ribeiro ◽  
Maria Carolina C Martone ◽  
...  

Video modeling using applied behavior analysis techniques is one of the most promising and cost-effective ways to improve social skills for parents with autism spectrum disorder children. The main objectives were: (1) To elaborate/describe videos to improve eye contact and joint attention, and to decrease disruptive behaviors of autism spectrum disorder children, (2) to describe a low-cost parental training intervention, and (3) to assess participant’s compliance. This is a descriptive study of a clinical trial for autism spectrum disorder children. The parental training intervention was delivered over 22 weeks based on video modeling. Parents with at least 8 years of schooling with an autism spectrum disorder child between 3 and 6 years old with an IQ lower than 70 were invited to participate. A total of 67 parents fulfilled the study criteria and were randomized into two groups: 34 as the intervention and 33 as controls. In all, 14 videos were recorded covering management of disruptive behaviors, prompting hierarchy, preference assessment, and acquisition of better eye contact and joint attention. Compliance varied as follows: good 32.4%, reasonable 38.2%, low 5.9%, and 23.5% with no compliance. Video modeling parental training seems a promising, feasible, and low-cost way to deliver care for children with autism spectrum disorder, particularly for populations with scarce treatment resources.


Author(s):  
Alice M. Hammel ◽  
Ryan M. Hourigan

Communication is one of the considerable challenges faced by children with autism. Before a child with autism can learn, their must be able to communicate. This chapter includes information on communication traits and characteristics of persons with autism as well as steps to obtain effective communication with students with autism in the music classroom. Other topics include joint attention, reciprocation, echolalia, receptive and expressive language, and augmentative and alternative communication for students with autism in the music classroom.


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