Feasibility of a videoconferencing-based parent-mediated intervention: a mixed-method pilot study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Psychology
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Telehealth Interventions

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) requires early intervention for communication and social challenges.
• Parent-mediated interventions like Pre-school Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) empower parents.
• Accessibility barriers often limit access to crucial evidence-based interventions for families.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of delivering PACT via videoconferencing.
• To evaluate videoconferencing-based PACT as a precursor to a larger randomized controlled trial.
• To explore adaptations of PACT for a remote delivery model.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data.
• Participants: Children with ASD receiving PACT and experienced PACT professionals.
• Feasibility assessed via technical quality (audio, video, internet) and session duration; professional experiences analyzed thematically.

Main Results:

• Videoconferencing-based PACT demonstrated high feasibility (95.1% of sessions).
• Minor technical issues (audio, screen sharing) were successfully managed by therapists.
• Positive trends observed in autism severity and parent-child interaction, with qualitative reports of increased parental confidence and synchrony.

Conclusions:

• Delivering PACT via videoconferencing is a feasible method to improve access to ASD interventions.
• Further large-scale, controlled research is needed to confirm these findings.
• An ongoing multicenter randomized trial will validate the efficacy of this remote approach.