Mindfulness Training and Parent-coaching Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Mindfulness Training and Parent-coaching Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) report higher levels of depression
 and distress than caregivers of typically developing children as well as children with other
 developmental disabilities. The proposed work tests a novel treatment paradigm that blends
 Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with an empirically supported and manualized parent
 training program (Parent-Implemented Early Start Denver Model [P-ESDM]). We hypothesize that
 directly treating parental distress, while simultaneously providing evidence-based parent
 training, may greatly enhance child-focused intervention and provide benefits that resonate
 across the family.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Child has diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder

 -  Child at least 12 months of age but less than 36 months at time of consent

 -  Parent speaks and reads fluent English

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Severe child sensorimotor impairment that would impact participation in treatment