Healthcare Assignment On Increasing Access To ASD Imitation Intervention Via Telehealth Parent Training Program

Question

Task:
Prepare a well-structured, well-analysed and well-researched paper on healthcare assignment on the topic “Increasing Access to an ASD Imitation Intervention Via a Telehealth Parent Training Program”.

Answer

Introduction

Autistic children face different challenges as identified in the current healthcare assignment. They face problems like communication difficulties, repetitive behaviour, and narrow interest. There is no proper medical treatment to cure Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, several interventions have been investigated and developed to reduce the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder and improve the cognitive ability of the autistic children.

Research Background

Different types of intervention techniques and treatments are available to reduce the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some of the popular techniques include medication, use of complementary as well as alternative medicine, and dietary approaches. Apart from these treatment procedures, behaviour and communication approaches are considered as widely acceptable intervention techniques, which are used to reduce the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. As there is no specific medical treatment to cure Autism Spectrum Disorder, use of this behaviour and communication approach is essential to control the symptoms. This process includes Autism Spectrum Disorder imitation intervention technique. Parents of this contemporary age are taught this approach through Telehealth training programme to help their children in improving their social cognitive skills.

Research Aim and Research Objectives

The aim of this research is to determine the impact of increasing access to Autism Spectrum Disorder imitation intervention technique through Telehealth parent training programme on cognitive ability of autistic children. The research objective of the final thesis is:

To determine the impact of increasing access to Autism Spectrum Disorder imitation intervention technique through Telehealth parent training programme on cognitive ability development of autistic children
To investigate the impact of this structured behavioural therapy on social exchange activities of such special children
To identify essential methods of teaching the Autism Spectrum Disorder imitation intervention technique via Telehealth parent training programme.

Research Questions

The researcher will address the following research questions in final thesis by the implication of appropriate methodological approach.

What are the impacts of increasing access to Autism Spectrum Disorder imitation intervention technique through Telehealth parent training programme on cognitive ability development of autistic children?
What is the impact of this structured behavioural therapy on social exchange activities of such special children?
What are the essential methods of teaching the Autism Spectrum Disorder imitation intervention technique via Telehealth parent training programme?

Literature Review

The models and intervention practices are introduced for the parents of these autistic children in order to boost their confidence level to improve the cognitive ability of their autistic child. Imitation in children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder becomes highly difficult. There is not any kind of doubt that children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder face difficulties in expressing interest, sharing emotions, taking turns, and paying attention. Imitation of normal children involves the ability of those children in copying others. Normal imitation includes copying of sounds or words, copying of body movements or gestures, and copying of actions with different objects. Typically, developed and normal children are being able to express their interest for social reasons, share emotions with caregivers, take turns while walking or running, and paying attention to the caregivers. However, children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder face difficulties to do above mentioned things.

Access to Autism Spectrum Disorder Imitation Intervention Technique

Several interventions are practiced to maximise the ability of the autistic children to assist them in participating in community and social activities. Different schools for disable children and medical practitioners are helping the parent of autistic children to get access to the Autism Spectrum Disorder imitation intervention through the help of Telehealth parent training programme. Now-a-days, parents of these autistic children are getting involved with hybrid Telehealth programme for the purpose of transformation in the behaviour of parents and their children (Wainer & Ingersoll, 2015). Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder often have great difficulties with imitation. Therefore, many researchers have found out that imitation can be considered as an important focus of intervention. Hence, teaching imitation can result in improvements in overall social abilities of children. Parents are recognised as the immediate teachers and major guardians of any child (v et al., 2019). Therefore, parents are responsible for assisting their children in minimising the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder so that they can actively participate in different social events with great confidence and great cognitive skills. In order to ensure this, parents of these autistic children need to have extensive access to the Autism Spectrum Disorder intervention techniques by the help of Telehealth training programme.

The parents and caregivers need to act collaboratively in this. It will be important for the caregivers to do counselling on the parents of autistic children and make them understand that learning of Autism Spectrum Disorder intervention technique is important. The autistic children need to respond to the prompt of the parents. The caregivers need to teach this first to the parents as it will give enormous opportunity to such autistic children to imitate the actions of their parents. This approach allows positive reinforcement, which helps the parents to develop a positive tendency in such children to try to copy the actions of their parents (Hall et al., 2019). This is also recognised as structured behavioural therapy, which is a part of applied behavioural analysis.

Telehealth Training on Applied Behaviour Analysis for Parents

Applied behaviour analysis is considered as a notable intervention technique to reduce symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder in children. Even this applied behaviour analysis is widely accepted among the medical practitioners (Penney & Schwartz, 2019). This Autism Spectrum Disorder management model is frequently practiced in many disability schools and treatment clinics. The caregivers also need to give training to the parents of autistic children on applied behaviour analysis through the help of Telehealth training programme. Parents of such autistic children need to be aware of different types of applied behaviour analysis technique.

Discrete Trial Training is considered as important type of applied behaviour analysis technique. In this Telehealth teaching technique, the caregivers will use series of trials to educate each step of desired response or behaviour. In this teaching technique, lessons are broken down in different simplest parts, which are responsible for positive reinforcement (Kaur & Bhat, 2019). In such Telehealth training procedure, incorrect questions are widely ignored.

Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention is another important applied behaviour analysis technique. In this Telehealth training programme, parents are taught to take care of autistic children younger than 5 years. In this Telehealth teaching method, the caregivers generally use highly structured and intense teaching method to develop positive social behaviour, which can allow the autistic children to actively participate in the social communication activities (Field, 2017). This Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention Telehealth training method helps in reducing unwanted behavioural activities like self-injury, aggression, and tantrums. This is an intensive training method. Therefore, this teaching method is conducted by one-on-one mode.

The parents also can go through Telehealth training program called Early Start Denver Model. This structured behavioural therapy has several positive impacts on social exchange activities for the autistic children. This training method is organised for the parents of children aged between 12 months and 48 months. In this Telehealth training programme, the trainers and caregivers generally train the parents or therapists to use play and joint activities to improve the imitation activities of children. This Telehealth training programme helps the parents to improve the cognitive skills, language orientation, and social exchange skills of their autistic children (Erturk et al., 2020).

Pivotal Response Training also can be considered as an important structured behaviour therapy, which can help the parents to improve the motivation of their autistic children on learning and social exchange activities. This particular Telehealth training programme might assist the parents to bring positive changes in their autistic children. It will allow such children to initiate communication with others (Waddington et al., 2021). Apart from this, Verbal Behaviour Intervention also can be considered as important Telehealth training programmes for the parents, which might help the autistic children in learning verbal communication skills.

Telehealth Training on Other Autism Spectrum Disorder Imitation Interventions

The caregivers now give training on assistive technology to the parents of autistic children through which the communication skills of such children can be improved. In this Telehealth training period, the professional trainers generally give training on use of advanced technological devices to improve imitation activities, which is necessary for improvement in social exchange and social communication activities. Example of Picture Exchange Communication Technique can be considered here, which is frequently taught by trainers to the therapists or parents of the autistic children (Field, 2017). In this Picture Exchange Communication System, the parents are taught how use of picture symbols can improve the imitation and communication skills of the autistic children in the societies.

Occupational therapy also can be considered as an important method to reduce symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Telehealth training programme on occupational therapy can help the autistic children to live independently as long as they can. Most importantly, it significantly depends on effective training and quality of Telehealth training is required to improve the knowledge level of the parents regarding this (Kahjoogh et al., 2020). The occupational therapy skills include bathing, dressing, and rating. Apart from occupational therapy, social training skill method is also applied for reduction of symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. This method is also taught on Telehealth training program. This training program actually helps the parents of autistic children to develop their skills on social interaction, social conversation, and problem solving.

Last but not the least; speech therapy is another important method to improve the social exchange skills and cognitive abilities of the autistic children. In the Telehealth training programme, trainers generally teach the parents and therapists how to improve interpersonal communication skills of employees. Training on use of picture boards and gestures become more realistic in this Telehealth teaching method (Pouretemad et al., 2019).

Importance of this Hybrid Telehealth Programme

Autism Spectrum Disorder Imitation Intervention Telehealth training programme for the parents is also known as an important Hybrid Telehealth Program. This particular Telehealth program is important for the children with Autism Spectrum Disorder because it allows the children to develop their interpersonal skills to participate in different social activities and events with a positive frame of mind. This particular Telehealth programme has become more common in this contemporary era as it is cost-effective and easy to acknowledge. The effectiveness of this kind of Telehealth program is also highly accepted because this kind of program reinforces healthcare or caregiving policy development, administrative, and staffing practices. Availability of necessary staffs to provide such remote support is also challenging (Waddington et al., 2021). Therefore, it is an important trend to offer Telehealth training on Autism Spectrum Disorder to the parents of autistic children. Apart from Telehealth attendance and interaction, proper practice is also necessary for the parents of autistic children to ensure proper care for their children.

Teaching Different Ways of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Telehealth Program

First of all, it will be important for trainers to teach the parents regarding spontaneous language practices in the Telehealth training program. Use of spontaneous language and repetition can be considered as an important imitation process through which autistic children can improve their memory status regarding use of particular language in specific social events (Ingersoll & Schreibman, 2006). Constant follow-up is required for the children to memorise this spontaneous language in different social events. In this case, parents are taught to improve their follow-up activities and it results in positive cognitive ability development in the autistic children (Beaumont et al., 2021).

Secondly, it will be important for the trainers to categorise the imitation skills for the parents of autistic children. It will be important to know that the imitation skills depend on behaviour and wanted skills. Different autistic children may have different kinds of limitations (Srinivasan et al., 2021). For example, an autistic child might have speech disorder. On the other hand, some autistic children might have other problems. It will be important for trainers to know the actual problem for the parents of specific autistic children. This aspect will significantly allow the trainers and caregivers to develop right lessons and training skills within the parents. Hence, systematic training is necessary to reduce symptoms of the autistic children (Lense et al., 2020).

Thirdly, the parents need to make it transparent in the Telehealth interaction program about specific imitation problem and duration of the imitation problem. Some children may suffer from object imitation. Some children may suffer from motor imitation. Some children may suffer from verbal imitation. On the other hand, some children may suffer from sound imitation (Trembath et al., 2019). Dependency on duration is also important. For example, some children may suffer from immediate imitation. Some children may suffer from generalised imitation. On the other hand, some children may suffer from deferred imitation. Lastly, dependency on function type is also important. Some children may suffer from rational imitation. Some children may suffer from cognitive imitation. Some children may suffer from goal-oriented imitation. On the other hand, some children may suffer from selective imitation. The parents of autistic children need to make it clear among the therapists, trainers, and caregivers to gain appropriate training and appropriate knowledge as appropriateness of training and knowledge in the Telehealth programme will help the parents to reduce symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder in their children (Pouretemad et al., 2019).

Last but not the least; effective Telehealth programme can be completed by teaching the parents about creating a role-model for their children. Role models play an important role of motivation and performance in an individual’s life. The parents need to have the ability to develop a role model in front of their autistic children. Once, a role model is developed, the autistic kids will be influenced enough to follow their parts and achieve different personal as well as professional goals in lives (Datko et al., 2018). Hence, effective Telehealth training regarding importance of development of a role model for the kids is necessary. The parents also need to be taught that the learning of imitation can be done in open air. Change of place and vacation is important for autistic children to grab the knowledge spontaneously. Overall, the parents need to play a role of mentor in their children’s life. Therefore, proper Telehealth training program is necessary.

Research Methodology and Data Collection

Research methodology is considered as an important integral part of any research work. Selection of appropriate research method allows the researchers to collect authentic data and apply appropriate analysis techniques to interpret the collected information. Generally, there are two types of research methods. These are qualitative research method and quantitative research method. In qualitative research method, researchers generally focus on the views, thought processes, perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours of respondents or authors. In qualitative research method, the researchers usually apply their individual knowledge level and skills to analyse the collected information. In quantitative research method, researchers usually apply different kinds of statistical, mathematical, and scientific techniques to analyse the collected data. In this particular research work, the efficacy and characteristics of access to Autism Spectrum Disorder imitative intervention through Telehealth Parent Training Program have been analysed. Therefore, the views of trainers and caregivers or related authors need to be sources and analysed. Therefore, consideration of the qualitative methodology is highly justified in this research work in which the perceptions and knowledge of trainers or industry professionals or responsible individuals can be identified.

Selection of appropriate research approach is another important responsibility of a researcher to meet the developed research objectives. Researchers generally consider either deductive approach of doing research or inductive approach of doing research. Inductive approach is considered as observation of the studies and proposal of theories towards the end of a research work as an outcome of an in-detailed investigative study. On the other hand, deductive approach of research is nothing but the testing of an existing theory, which is applied to prove any hypothesis or meet developed research objectives. Inductive approach is considered in this study and consideration of inductive approach is highly justified in this study because it will allow the researcher to analyse qualitative data guided by specific evaluation objectives.

Similar to research approach, selection of an appropriate research philosophy is also an important part of research work. There are two basic research philosophies, such as positivism and interpretivism. In positivism philosophy, researchers seek for application of scientific and quantitative methods to meet the developed research objectives. In interpretivism philosophy, researchers generally focus on applying their individual knowledge level to analyse the collected qualitative information from the authors or respondents. This work requires humanitarian view to meet the objectives and requires qualitative information from other respondents. Therefore, selection of the interpretivism research philosophy is highly justified in this research work.

After selecting an appropriate research method, it will be important to select a meaningful data collection method in order to collect important information for the completion of final thesis. Generally, there are two types of data collection processes. One is primary data collection process and other is secondary data collection process. In primary data collection process, the researcher’s source raw and fresh data from data sources through field works or survey works or interview works. It is a time taking, cost associated, but authentic data collection process. Primary data collection process allows the researchers to ensure an authentic research outcome. On the other hand, secondary data collection method includes collection of numerous data from existing data sources. Through secondary data collection process, huge amount of data can be collected in a time and cost-effective way. However, authenticity might be a concern in the secondary data collection process. Looking into the advantages of both the data collection processes, the researcher has decided that both primary and secondary data collection process will be used in the final thesis programme.

In terms of primary data collection process, the researcher has decided to interview 50 trainers on this issue. A questionnaire of 10 close-ended interview questions will be distributed to those 50 trainers through e-mail in order to get their views on importance and characteristics of access to Autism Spectrum Disorder imitation intervention Telehealth parent Training programme. Purposely 50 trainers have been selected here to collect their responses. Therefore, consideration of purposive sampling is justified in this study. Hence, sample size of the final thesis will be 50. On the other hand, 20 articles will be selected to collect secondary information for the final thesis programme. Authentic journal articles on this particular research topic will be selected to collect secondary information.

Data Analysis and Findings

In terms of data analysis, different real-life case studies can be used to collect and analyse the secondary information. In order to analyse those case facts, different related models and theories can be applied. It will help to meet the objectives of the final thesis. In terms of primary data analysis, the responses of the respondents will be collected through emails. After this, the collection of responses of the respondents will be put on Microsoft Excel file to plot graphs and charts. These graphical images will significantly indicate the trend of research outcome. It will help the researcher in the findings and interpretation part of the final thesis.

Conclusion

Autistic children face different challenges and there is no proper medical treatment to cure Autism Spectrum Disorder. Recently, several interventions are researched and developed to control the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder and improve the cognitive ability of the autistic children. Some of the popular techniques include medication, use of complementary as well as alternative medicine, and dietary approaches. Apart from these treatments, behaviour and communication approaches are also widely acceptable as major intervention techniques. These are used to reduce the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Now-a-days, parents of these autistic children are becoming aware of hybrid Telehealth programme. It allows transformation in the behaviour of parents and their children. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder often have great difficulties with regarding imitation and social exchange.

Applied behaviour analysis is a notable intervention technique, which helps in reducing symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder in children. Even this applied behaviour analysis technique is widely acknowledged by the medical practitioners and frequently practiced in many disability schools as well as treatment clinics. On the other hand, Discrete Trial Training is also considered as an important type of applied behaviour analysis technique. In this Telehealth teaching technique, the trainers will use series of trials to instruct each step of desired response or conduct. In this teaching method, lessons are broken down in different simplest measures. These are responsible for positive reinforcement. In such Telehealth training procedure, inappropriate questions are widely overlooked. Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention Telehealth training method is another important process that helps in reducing unwanted behavioural activities like self-injury, aggression, and tantrums. This is a concentrated training method. This method is conducted by one-on-one mode. Apart from these, Pivotal Response Training is an important structured behaviour therapy. It can help the parents to improve the motivation of their autistic children on learning and social exchange activities. This particular Telehealth training programme might assist the parents to bring positive changes in their autistic children. On the other hand, techniques like Occupational therapy also can be considered as an important method to reduce symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, which can be taught in Telehealth Parent Training Program.

References

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Datko, M., Pineda, J. A., & Müller, R. A. (2018). Positive effects of neurofeedback on autism symptoms correlate with brain activation during imitation and observation. European Journal of Neuroscience, 47(6), 579-591.

Erturk, B., Hansen, S. G., Machalicek, W., & Kunze, M. (2020). Parent-implemented early social communication intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Behavioral Education, 1-23.

Field, T. (2017). Imitation enhances social behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder: A review. Behavioral Development Bulletin, 22(1), 86.

Hall, T. A., Mastel, S., Nickel, R., & Wainer, A. (2019). Parents training parents: Lessons learned from a study of reciprocal imitation training in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 23(6), 1601-1606.

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Srinivasan, S. M., Su, W. C., Cleffi, C., & Bhat, A. N. (2021). From Social Distancing to Social Connections: Insights From the Delivery of a Clinician-Caregiver Co-mediated Telehealth-Based Intervention in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12.

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Waddington, H., van der Meer, L., & Sigafoos, J. (2021). Supporting parents in the use of the early start Denver model as an intervention program for their young children with autism spectrum disorder. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 67(1), 23-36.

Wainer, L. A., & Ingersoll, R. B. (2015). Increasing Access to an ASD Imitation Intervention Via a Telehealth Parent Training Program. Springer Science + Business Media, 45(1), pp. 3877-3890.

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