Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Autism Spectrum and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are prevalent childhood disorders characterized by disruptive behavior. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based intervention for improving disruptive behavior. The current article investigates the theoretical rationale for selecting PCIT as a treatment for children with ASD or ADHD and includes a systematic review of PCIT outcome studies with these clinical populations. Results from the available literature provide support for the use of PCIT for children with ASD and ADHD and suggest the need for future research to investigate the mechanisms of change in PCIT treatment outcome studies.

Keywords:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• children
• disruptive behavior
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
• parent training