Parent education for autism: Issues in providing services at a distance

Abstract: Providing effective support services for families of children with autism is a growing area of concern. Individual and system-level risk factors that are associated with having autism could result in poor outcomes. Positive behavior interventions that address individual and fam-ily needs could potentially ameliorate these risk factors. Literature on parent education, effec-tive behavior interventions, and the importance of viewing the individual within a socioecocultural framework are presented. These components should be considered in design-ing effective intervention programs for families. This article documents through a review of relevant research the need to provide appropriate services along with the need to develop ser-vice delivery models that will effectively reach families. Autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are severe cognitive disabilities that adversely affect individuals’ global development. Individuals with autism display be-haviors that are either excessive or in deficit compared to the general population (Diagnostic and Statistical Manua