The Effect of Coaching Family Member Caring Behavior On Autistic Symptoms Among Autistic Preschoolers

Abstract

Purpose: 1) to compare autistic symptoms among autistic preschoolers before and after using coaching family member caring behavior, and 2) and to compare autistic symptoms among autistic preschoolers using coaching family member caring behavior and those who received usual nursing care.

Design: Quasi-experimental research

Methods: The research sample consisted of 40 autistic children aged from 3 to 6 years and families receiving services inpatient care service of Rajanukul Institue selected by inclusion criteria, were matched pair by sex and age of autistic preschoolers and education of family member, then, equally randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group with 20 subjects in each group.  The experimental group received coaching family member caring behavior for 6 weeks. The control group received usual nursing care. The experimental instruments included a Nurse handbook for coaching family member caring behavior; Family members handbook for autism care. Data were collected using The Autistic symptoms assessment scale and Autism caring manual for family member’s practical skills questionnaires. Their CVI were .87 and .88, respectively. Their Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were .92 and .89, respectively. The t-test was used in data analysis

Results: 1) The mean score of autistic symptoms after using Coaching family member caring behavior were significantly lower than those before, at the .00 level. 2) The mean score of autistic symptoms who received Coaching family member caring behavior was lower than autistic preschoolers after receiving usual nursing care but no significant differences of Autistic symptoms were found between autistic preschoolers after receiving coaching family member caring behavior and usual nursing care.

Conclusion: The result of this study support that coaching family member caring behavior can reduce autistic symptom among autistic preschoolers.