Staff

Publication details for Dr Emma Mercier

Minjarez, M.B., Williams, S.E., Mercier, E.M. & Hardan, A.Y. (2011). Pivotal Response Group Treatment Program for Parents of Children with Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 41(1): 92-101.

• Publication type: Journal papers: academic
• ISSN/ISBN: 0162-3257, 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-010-1027-6
• Keywords: Parent training ! Parent education ! Behavioral interventions ! Group therapy
• View online: Online version
• Durham research online: DRO record

Author(s) from Durham

• Dr Emma Mercier

Abstract

The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders is increasing, necessitating the development of efficient treatment models. Research has demonstrated
that parent-delivered behavioral interventions are a viable treatment model; however, little research has
focused on teaching parents in groups. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that parents can learn Pivotal Response Training (PRT) in group therapy, resulting in correlated
gains in children’s language. Baseline and post-treatment data were obtained and examined for changes in (a) parent
fidelity of PRT implementation, and (b) child functional verbal utterances. Significant differences were observed for both variables. These findings suggest that parents can learn
PRT in a group format, resulting in correlated child language gains, thus future controlled studies are warranted.