Parent training is vital for autistic children

Training the parents of children with autism spectrum disorders is vital to mediate serious behavioural problems, according to a recent study.

Patients who also have behavioural difficulties respond better to medication combined with training for their parents than to medication alone, a team of Yale researchers claim.

Observing 124 children aged between four and 13, which exhibited multiple and prolonged tantrums, aggression, and/or self-injurious behaviour, scientists found that those patients whose parents learnt how to respond to behavioural problems and help children to adapt to living situations had better outcomes.

Professor Lawrence Scahill, lead author on the study, commented: "Serious behavioural problems interfere with everyday living for children and their families.

"Decreasing these serious behavioural problems results in children who are more able to manage everyday living."

Giving parents the knowledge and tools of how to deal with the behavioural problems associated with autism is essential in managing the problem and enhancing a child's development.

Find out about Barchester's support for adults and children with a wide range of Autistic spectrum conditions.