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Applying a Parent Training Program in a Naturalistic Behavior Analytic Context to Improve Attachment in Children with
Areti Stefanaki1, Georgios Gkogkos2, Spyridoula Varlokosta3
1Department of Educational Studies of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Ethnikis Antistaseos 34-38, Nea Filadelfeia, 14343, Athens, Greece. stefanareti@gmail.com.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|August 27, 2022
Summary
This study explored attachment in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A behavior-analytic intervention effectively improved parent-child attachment quality in young children with ASD.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Early caregiver-child attachment is vital for emotional development in humans and animals.
- Attachment patterns in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their caregivers are not well understood.
- Secure attachment is foundational for healthy emotional and social development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess attachment patterns between two young children with ASD and their parents.
- To identify methods for enhancing parent, child, and parent-child relational factors that support secure attachment.
- To investigate the impact of a specific intervention on attachment quality in children with ASD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a naturalistic, behavior-analytic approach.
- Focused on assessing attachment patterns in a small sample of young children with ASD.
- Employed observational and behavioral analysis techniques.
Main Results:
- Findings aligned with previous research on attachment quality in children with ASD.
- The behavior-analytic intervention proved effective in enhancing attachment quality.
- Improvements were noted in parent-child relational characteristics.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms existing knowledge regarding attachment in children with ASD.
- Naturalistic, behavior-analytic interventions can positively influence attachment quality.
- Further research is warranted to explore these interventions in larger ASD populations.
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