Moderating Effects of Parental Characteristics on the Effectiveness of a Theory of Mind Training for Children with Autism: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Danielle M J de Veld*, Patricia Howlin, Elske Hoddenbach, Fleur Mulder, Imke Wolf, Hans M. Koot, Ramón Lindauer, Sander Begeer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This RCT investigated whether the effect of a Theory of Mind (ToM) intervention for children with ASD was moderated by parental education level and employment, family structure, and parental ASD. Children with autism aged 8–13 years (n = 136) were randomized over a waitlist control or treatment condition. At posttest, children in the treatment condition had more ToM knowledge, showed fewer autistic features, and more ToM-related behavior than children in the control condition. Children who had one or two parents with at least a college degree, and children with parents not diagnosed with/suspected of having ASD themselves benefitted from the training. These findings provide valuable information about family variables that need to be taken into account in treatment design and implementation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1987-1997
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume47
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2017

Funding

This study was funded by ZonMw (File Number 729101009).

FundersFunder number
ZonMw729101009

    Keywords

    • Autism
    • Moderator
    • Randomized controlled trial
    • Theory of mind
    • Treatment

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