Effectiveness of Child-Directed Interaction Training for Young Japanese Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

This study examined the efficacy of Child-Directed Interaction Training (CDIT), the first phase of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), for Japanese children with autism spectrum disorders. The participants were 21 mother-child dyads with children aged 4–7 years; participants were assigned to an Immediate Treatment (IT) group or to a Waitlist (WL) control group. Across eight training sessions, mothers learned positive attention skills that were adapted from traditional PCIT training. Results showed CDIT not only improved social cognition skills and decreased disruptive behavior in Japanese children, but also reduced stress/distress among their mothers, particularly in relation to their own parenting skills and their child’s problem behaviors.

Keywords:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• child-directed interaction training
• child problem behaviors
• child social cognition
• imitation skill
• joint attention
• parent-child interaction therapy
• parenting stress

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Minako Wakasa, Keisuke Masuda, Atsuko Ishii, and Ryo Orita for their assistance in the conduct of this study. The authors also appreciate the support and guidance provided by staff members at the Molecular Research Center for Children’s Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University.