Effectiveness of creative arts-based parent training for parents with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The mixed-method study evaluated the effectiveness of the 6-week long Creative Arts-based Parent Training program for parents with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Korean Parenting Stress Index-Short Form and Korean Parenting Efficacy Test were used to examine parental stress and sense of competence. Qualitative data were collected for the experimental group (EG) (n = 17) using a 30 min focus group interview, art journaling, and questionnaires. There was no difference in age (t(25) = 1.38, p = .19) and gender (p = .86) between the experimental and control groups (n = 15). The program was a positive experience. Qualitative data on parental experience and quantitative data on parental stress showed significant change, favoring the EG, t (17)=-2.72, p = .014 after controlling for inequality of variances. The EG highlighted the program as: (a) a social connection; (b) new opportunities to be child-focused, and (c) the learning of importance of emotion for child development. More, implementation promoted changes in both parents and children as the fundamental parenting style and the view on the child and disability changed. Therefore, although the study had some limitations, the program showed the promise of group-based supplementary parent training in parent-mediated, creative arts-based intervention as an early intervention treatment for children with ASD.