half day workshop

STEPPING STONES TRIPLE P: AN EVIDENCE BASED PARENTING PROGRAM FOR PARENTS OF A CHILD WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
Kate Sofronoff, The University of Queensland, Australia and Koa Whittingham, The University of Queensland, Australia

Princess Hotel Room: Forum

It is widely recognized that children with developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) display behavioural and emotional problems at a significantly higher rate than typically developing children (Einfeld & Tonge, 1996; Emerson, 2003).  Furthermore, there is a substantial literature to provide evidence for the efficacy of parent training to reduce child behavioural and emotional problems and also to increase parental self-efficacy and satisfaction, and to reduce marital conflict and maternal depression (Sofronoff, Leslie & Brown, 2004).   The Stepping Stones Triple P program is grounded in cognitive behavioural and social learning theory and has demonstrated efficacy in randomised controlled trials with parents of children with multiple disabilities (Mazzucchelli et al., 2002), has been shown to be acceptable to parents of a child with ASD (Whittingham, Sofronoff & Sheffield, 2006), and effective with that population (Whittingham, Sofronoff, Sheffield & Sanders, in prep). The workshop will present information about the theoretical basis of the program, will outline and demonstrate a range of the strategies taught to parents, and will discuss particular issues relevant to parents of a child with autism or Asperger syndrome.

Kate Sofronoff is a clinical psychologist on academic staff in the School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Australia.  Currently the Director of Clinical Training in the school, her research has focused on interventions for families with children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and interventions for children and adolescents diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and anxiety and anger management problems. Koa Whittingham is undertaking a PhD in clinical psychology in the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland and has completed an RCT of the Stepping Stones program with families with a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

Key References:
Roberts, C., Mazzucchelli, T., Studman, L., & Sanders, M.R. (2006). Behavioural family intervention for children with developmental disabilities and behavioural problems.  Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 35, 180-193.
Sanders, M.R., Mazzucchelli, T., & Studman, L. (2004). Stepping Stones Triple P: The theoretical basis and development of an evidence-based positive parenting program for families with a child who has a disability. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 29, 265-285.
Whittingham, K.,  Sofronoff, K., & Sheffield, J. (2006). Stepping Stones Triple P: A pilot study to evaluate acceptability of the program by parents of a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 27, 364-380.