Examining Internet-delivered Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (I-PCIT) for a Father and His Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Remote technologies for mental healthcare have grown in popularity and usage. Nonetheless, few instances of their application have been reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and single-parent households requiring support. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Internet-delivered parent-child interaction therapy (I-PCIT) in a single-parent household with a child with ASD. The participants were a father and his 5-year-old child with ASD and disruptive behavior in a single-parent household setting. Participants recieved I-PCIT via the videoconferencing platform enabling the therapists to provide therapy remotely. The intervention was conducted 25 times over eight months. I-PCIT increased the father’s parenting skills, which improved the child’s disruptive behaviors and, social responsiveness and the father’s parenting stress. In addition, the father reported the benefits and in vivo validity of I-PCIT. These findings suggest that I-PCIT is effective for children with ASD and their single-parent households.