Qi X, Zhao Q, To CKS. Empowering Hong Kong Chinese families with autism: A preliminary study of the online Hanen More Than Words Program.
AUTISM & DEVELOPMENTAL LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENTS 2024;
9:23969415241245096. [PMID:
38638395 PMCID:
PMC11025426 DOI:
10.1177/23969415241245096]
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Abstract
Purpose
Parent involvement is crucial for tailored early intervention programs. The Hanen More Than Words (HMTW) program is a parent-implemented language intervention for autistic children. The current study examined the effectiveness of the HMTW program delivered online among Chinese families.
Methods
Using a randomized controlled trial design, 22 Chinese families of autistic children in Hong Kong completed the trial. Baseline and post-intervention assessments were conducted to measure changes in parent-child interaction, parents' use of linguistic facilitation techniques (LFTs), and children's communication skills. Additionally, the influence of parental self-efficacy and parenting stress on treatment outcomes was explored.
Results
The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in parent-child attention synchrony. Although the treatment effect on children's spontaneous communication was not significant, the intervention group showed a larger effect size compared to the controls. The treatment outcomes were mainly influenced by the parents' initial levels of self-efficacy but not by parenting stress.
Conclusion
These findings provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of the online-delivered HMTW program for Chinese parents of autistic children. Further research involving a larger sample and focusing on long-term effects is needed.
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