Coaching Families Raising Young Children With Signs of Autism: Naturalistic Approaches

with Sarah Dufek & Aubyn Stahmer

Wednesday May 25, 2022
12:00pm-1:30pm (PDT) | Virtual Event

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Caregiver-mediated early interventions have demonstrated positive child and family outcomes for young children with, or at high likelihood of having, autism (Zwaigenbaum et al., 2015; Burrell & Borrego, 2012).  Additionally, there is consensus that effective early intervention includes a caregiver component, including input in the development of treatment goals and priorities, identifying support for the family, and learning specific strategies to support their child’s development.

However, many intervention providers working with children with autism and their families have limited training in how to partner with parents or how to coach them in the use of evidence-based intervention strategies.

Recent research has identified key elements for caregiver coaching and engagement (e.g., Pellecchia et al., 2020). This presentation will examine the literature on effective coaching strategies and provide examples of how increase caregiver partnership in the use of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions. The use of telehealth to deliver coaching will be examined.

Instruction Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand at least 3 strategies for engaging caregiver’s in early intervention
2. Identify at least 3 barriers to caregiver participation in early intervention and strategies to address those barriers.
3. Identify common elements of caregiver coaching across evidence-based early interventions.
4. Understand how to involve parents in using naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions.

Dr. Aubyn Stahmer is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the UC Davis MIND Institute. She also directs the Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. She is an expert in the translation of evidence-based autism research to community-based practice and delivery. The main goals of her research include developing ways to help community providers, such as teachers and therapists, help children with autism and their families by providing high quality care.

She is an internationally respected expert in the use of naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions which are validated treatments for autism. Dr. Stahmer has conducted extensive research in the areas of parent coaching, early intervention, inclusive education and services research in autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Stahmer leads several grants funded through the U.S. Department of Education that involve adapting evidence-based practices for children with autism in collaboration with teachers and community providers.

Sarah Dufek, Ph.D., BCBA-D is an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the UC Davis MIND Institute. She is a licensed psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst with expertise in the assessment and treatment of ASD across the lifespan.

She has been working with children, adolescents, and adults with ASD and related developmental disabilities in clinical and research contexts since 2000. The main goals of her research include developing and improving assessment and treatment practices for families with children with ASD and related conditions. She is particularly interested in research questions related to access to quality services for families who are historically underrepresented.

Nonmember: $50
IDA Agency/Individual Member: $35
IDA Parent/Student/New Clinician Member: $25

IDA CE Hours: Nursing, PT, Speech and Language $15 (1.5 hour)
CDI CE Hours: LCSW, LMFT, LEP, LPCC (you will be invoiced)

ADA Requests: Contact IDA - [email protected]
with ADA request by May 11

Limited number of scholarships available

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