Parent Survey of Habilitative Teletherapy for Children with ASD

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether service losses during COVID-19 were associated with worsened parent or child behavioral health among families of children with ASD and to identify factors associated with favorable parent appraisals of habilitative teletherapy (applied behavior analysis, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy) for their child with ASD. Method(s) This web-based survey study was conducted from May to July 2021. A total of 322 parents of children with ASD responded to the survey (20% response rate). The outcome variables were pandemic-related parent/child behavioral health and appraisal of habilitative teletherapy. Predictors were COVID-19-related services changes in health care or childcare, COVID-19 history (COVID-19 stress, history of testing positive for COVID-19), and child ASD behavior (ASD behaviors, caregiving strain). Result(s) Loss of regular childcare was associated with higher odds of worsened parent mental health (OR = 2.7;95% CI, 1.5-4.8), and higher levels of caregiving strain were associated with worsened child behavioral health (OR = 2.3;95% CI, 1.4-3.8). Higher levels of COVID-19 stress were associated with more favorable appraisals of telehealth (beta =.4;p <.01), while higher caregiving strain scores were associated with less favorable appraisals of telehealth (beta = -.2;p <.01). Conclusion(s) During COVID-19, caregiving factors were associated with worsened parent and child behavioral health. Although telehealth is a promising behavioral service delivery model, telehealth is not preferred by all families. Policy interventions to support caregivers, such as affordable and high-quality childcare and paid family leave, are a high priority in the aftermath of COVID-19. ASD, TVM, PAT Copyright © 2022