The Keyhole® Rainbow Resource Kit: meeting the needs of parents of newly diagnosed preschoolers with ASD

Abstract

A resource kit containing information booklets about ASD, selected toys and playthings, and communication aids was developed and evaluated with 29 volunteer mothers supported by service personnel who visited on an average of six occasions. A mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies was used in the evaluation. Nearly all mothers found the kit helpful to their child, to them personally, and to some extent to the wider family. On post‐testing, mothers reported that the child had fewer problems relating to play as a result of using the kit. The child's relationships with others and difficulties with imitation had also improved. Mothers felt less stressed in their interactions with the child. On average, the mothers had received around 10 hours of home‐based support and the costs of the kits were also modest. This approach offers a value‐for‐money, practical approach to meeting the needs of families awaiting diagnosis and those who have recently been diagnosed.

Keywords:

• ASD
• preschool
• parent
• intervention

Acknowledgements

The project was funded by the Big Lottery, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Tudor Trust. We are very grateful for the help and assistance provided by our colleagues Florence Trotter, Nova Shaw, Maria Truesdale‐Kennedy, Victoria Milligan and Brenda Poulton. Roy McConkey's post is jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Board.