A Parent-Mediated Intervention for Newborns at Familial Likelihood of Autism: Initial Feasibility Study in the
Dominique B Cleary1,2, Angela Bunney1, Lindy Henry1
1Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 100 Roberts Road, Subiaco, Western Australia 6008 Australia.
Insights
This study explored a new parent-mediated intervention for infants at high risk for autism, starting during pregnancy. The intervention proved feasible and beneficial for parent-infant interactions in a general population sample.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Infant Mental Health
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Background:
- Developmental theory and prior research indicate prodromal interventions can benefit infants at high risk for autism.
- Parent-mediated therapies have shown efficacy in infants as young as 7 months.
- There is a rationale for earlier intervention, beginning even before birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of a novel parent-mediated, video-aided intervention for parent-infant interactions.
- To evaluate the intervention's acceptability, implementation, practicality, and integration in a general population sample.
- To explore the potential for early, perinatal intervention in infant development.
Main Methods:
- A feasibility study involving 13 participants was conducted.
- The intervention commenced during pregnancy, focusing on parent-infant interactions.
- Feasibility was assessed using questionnaires, interviews, attendance, and completion rates.
Main Results:
- The intervention was highly acceptable, with all participants reporting benefits in understanding and communicating with their infants.
- Program teachings were integrated into daily life, and core sessions had 100% attendance.
- Suggestions were made to enhance practicality by adjusting the number of antenatal sessions.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrated initial feasibility for this parent-mediated intervention in a general population sample.
- Parent-mediated video feedback interventions show promise for perinatal developmental support.
- This approach offers a potential avenue for early intervention during the critical perinatal period.
Objectives:
Developmental theory and previous studies support the potential value of prodromal interventions for infants at elevated likelihood of developing autism. Past research has supported the efficacy of parent-mediated prodromal therapies with infants from as early as 7 months. We outline the rationale for implementing interventions following this model from even earlier in development and report on the feasibility of a novel intervention developed following this model of parent-mediated infant interventions.
Methods:
We report a feasibility study (n = 13) of a parent-mediated, video-aided intervention, beginning during pregnancy, focussed on parent-infant interactions. The study evaluated the feasibility of this intervention initially with a general population sample. Feasibility was assessed across four domains (acceptability, implementation, practicality and integration) using self-report questionnaire, semi-structured interviews with parents and therapists, attendance and assessment completion.
Results:
Feasibility assessment shows that the intervention was acceptable, with all participants reporting that they had benefited from the program, with perceived positive benefits to their understanding of and communication with their infant, and that they had integrated program teachings into everyday life. The intervention was implemented as planned with 100% attendance for the core sessions. Changes to minimise the number of antenatal sessions was suggested to improve practicality.
Conclusions:
This study found initial feasibility for this intervention in a general population sample. This suggests parent-mediated video feedback interventions are a promising format to be implemented within the perinatal developmental time period.
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