Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Feb;54(2):765-784.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-022-05800-y. Epub 2022 Dec 1.

Supporting Caregivers Remotely During a Pandemic: Comparison of WHO Caregiver Skills Training Delivered Online Versus in Person in Public Health Settings in Italy

Camilla Ferrante  1 , Paola Sorgato  1 , Mariachiara Fioravanti  1 , Laura Pacione  2 , Giuseppe Maurizio Arduino  3 , Sabrina Ghersi  4 , Maria Luisa Scattoni  5 ; CST Italy Team; WHO CST Team; Chiara Servili  2 , Erica Salomone  6   7
Collaborators, Affiliations

Supporting Caregivers Remotely During a Pandemic: Comparison of WHO Caregiver Skills Training Delivered Online Versus in Person in Public Health Settings in Italy

Camilla Ferrante et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness data of a virtual adaptation of the WHO Caregiver Skills Training (CST; n = 25) were compared with those of a pilot RCT of CST delivered in person (n = 43) against treatment as usual (TAU; n = 43). Virtual CST was delivered with high levels of integrity, but received lower ratings in some caregiver- and facilitator-rated acceptability and feasibility dimensions. Qualitative analysis identified both benefits (flexibility, convenience, clinical usefulness) and challenges, (technological issues, distraction from family members, emotional distance). Virtual and in-person CST improved significantly more on caregiver competence than TAU; there were no other significant effects. Potential for use of virtual CST as a clinical response in contexts where in-person delivery is not possible is discussed.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Caregiver-mediated intervention; Telepractice; Virtual adaptation; WHO Caregiver Skills Training.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the views expressed in this article and they do not necessarily represent the views, decisions, or policies of the institutions with which they are affiliated.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Participant flow
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Thematic analysis: risks and benefits of virtual caregiver skills training
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Amaral DG, de Vries PJ. COVID-19 and autism research: perspectives from around the globe. Autism Research. 2020;13(6):844–869. doi: 10.1002/aur.2329. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Ashburner J, Vickerstaff S, Beetge J, Copley J. Remote versus face-to-face delivery of early intervention programs for children with autism spectrum disorders: Perceptions of rural families and service providers. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2016;23:1–14. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2015.11.011. - DOI
    1. Baharav E, Reiser C. Using telepractice in parent training in early autism. Telemedicine and e-Health. 2010;16(6):727–731. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2010.0029. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Balboni, G., Belacchi, C., Bonichini, S., & Coscarelli, A. (2016). Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition (Vineland-II)—Survey interview form. Standardizzazione italiana. Giunti OS.
    1. Bearss K, Burrell TL, Challa SA, Postorino V, Gillespie SE, Crooks C, Scahill L. Feasibility of parent training via telehealth for children with autism spectrum disorder and disruptive behavior: A demonstration pilot. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2018;48(4):1020–1030. doi: 10.1007/s10803-017-3363-2. - DOI - PubMed