Parent or caregiver training is a vital component of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and other therapies. By providing training and education, BCBAs empower families with the skills and knowledge needed to foster their child’s ongoing skill development and address behavior needs. As research shows us, simply attending parent training sessions is not enough to facilitate change and support meaningful progress. Instead, actively engaging in caregiver training is crucial. The level of engagement from parents significantly influences the effectiveness of the intervention and the outcomes for the family (Nix et al., 2009).
Factors that May Impact Parent Training Attendance and Participation
Every family unit is unique, with dynamics that can influence their likelihood to participate and actively engage in parent training sessions. Understanding the dynamics that may impact attendance and engagement can be useful for behavior analysts to inform tailored solutions that fit each family’s needs.
Some of the risk factors for low attendance and engagement in parent training include:
- Single-parent families
- Young maternal age
- Socioeconomic disadvantage
- Traumatic life experiences
- Parental depression
- Poor social support
- Lower education levels (Nix et al., 2009)
When parent training is conducted in groups, the quality of participation of the other group members can also contribute to each parent’s response and thus impact the overall progress (Nix et al., 2009).
The Importance of High-Quality Parent Participation
Active and meaningful parent participation in caregiver training is a crucial predictor of successful outcomes for both the child and the caregiver. Research by Nix et al. (2009) highlights that quality participation consistently leads to better treatment responses. For meaningful progress, parents must not only attend training but also actively engage, working alongside the clinician to incorporate learned techniques into their daily routines.
Because attendance alone is not enough, facilitating the active engagement of parents throughout the therapeutic process is critical–but what does active participation entail? It’s important for BCBAs to monitor indicators of active engagement and evaluate barriers to participation when they arise.
Indicators that parents are actively engaged in caregiver training include:
- Active listening, including demonstrating non-verbal cues of understanding
- Setting goals
- Self-reflecting on their progress toward goals
- Asking questions to clarify understanding
- Contributing to discussions, role-playing with the BCBA, and practicing skills with their child
- Sharing questions and concerns and celebrating wins with the BCBA
- Incorporating learned skills into their daily routines
- Data demonstrates improvements in individual goals
5 Strategies to Increase Engagement
- Develop rapport with the familyRapport is a critical component of any ABA therapy program. Research shows that the quality of the relationship between parents and the clinician is important for increasing both attendance and engagement (Robbins et al., 2003).
- Individualize your approachEvery family is unique. While curricula help guide instruction and ensure a balanced coverage of important topics, individualization is key. Before developing a caregiver training treatment plan, holistically assess the family dynamics, home situation, and needs through an ecological assessment. Consider how parents struggling under conditions of hardship may not find a standard curriculum as relevant to their daily lives as families who experience more socioeconomic stability.
- Avoid jargonBehavior-analytic jargon has a place and a time. Weaving concepts into caregiver training is great when teaching families what the concepts mean and how to apply them. However, it’s important to avoid using unfamiliar and unnecessary jargon during training sessions. Use layperson’s terms that families can understand. Doing so will likely increase their engagement and ability to apply the ABA principles to their daily routines.
- Approach training within a problem-solving model
To actively engage parents in reflecting on challenges they’re experiencing and establishing goals, utilize motivational interviewing. Avoid the expert-patient dynamic and instead take a collaborative approach that establishes them as an expert on their own child.
- Utilize a variety of training formatsBecause everyone learns differently, use a variety of training formats and evaluate which works best for each family.
Some options include:
- Behavior Skills Training (BST) with instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback
- Video modeling
- On-demand training lessons
- Written materials and handouts
- Self-monitoring and reflection
Establish a Partnership for Meaningful Progress
Creating a strong partnership with parents and caregivers is essential for making the greatest impact in ABA and beyond. At CompleatKidz, we believe in the power of working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for our learners and their families. Join our team of multidisciplinary care professionals to empower families on their journey through a collaborative network of support.
References
Factor, R. S., Ollendick, T. H., Cooper, L. D., Dunsmore, J. C., Rea, H. M., & Scarpa, A. (2019). All in the Family: A Systematic Review of the Effect of Caregiver-Administered Autism Spectrum Disorder Interventions on Family Functioning and Relationships. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 22(4), 433–457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-019-00297-x
Nix, R. L., Bierman, K. L., McMahon, R. J., & Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group (2009). How attendance and quality of participation affect treatment response to parent management training. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 77(3), 429–438. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0015028
