Caregiver-Led TreatmentWhen Parents and Caregivers Serve as Teachers and Therapists

One of the benefits of caregiver-mediated treatments is that it puts parents and caregivers at the forefront of their child’s care. By serving as teachers and therapists, parents and caregivers can help their child with autism improve their skills and reduce challenging or dangerous behaviors throughout the day.  

Here’s an overview of the two main types of caregiver-mediated treatments: 

• Behavioral treatments – This is a type of applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment. It’s similar to traditional ABA, except that parents or caregivers work directly with their child. A key advantage of this type of ABA is that it allows families to have more flexibility. Instead of having to plan their life around scheduled sessions with a paraprofessional, parents and caregivers can work directly with their child whenever it’s best for them and their family.   

• Chat – This is a naturalistic developmental program for parents and caregivers of children under the age of six who have language and social-emotional development delays. 

• Connect – Connect is designed for individuals with profound intellectual multiple disabilities (PIMD) and their families. Each Connect plan is developed for the unique needs of the individual with PIMD and their family focused on overall wellbeing.

• Developmental treatments – This type of treatment works best when parents or caregivers playfully engage their young child in their natural environment such as their home. As part of the treatment, parents set goals and track their child’s progress. Examples of this treatment include: 

• Floortime – As part of this program, parents and caregivers are trained on ways to help their child grow and develop at anytime, anywhere.  

• PLAY Project™ – In this intensive early intervention program, parents and caregivers are empowered to interact with their child in a way that supports their social-emotional learning. 

• RUBI – RUBI is designed to address challenging behaviors of children with autism and I/DD between the ages of 3-12. RUBI Parent Training equips parents or caregivers with the knowledge and tools to create a nurturing and structured environment that fosters positive behavior and development in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Another benefit of this treatment is that parents and caregivers have the support of a professional team that helps train and guide them. This includes a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or licensed mental health provider like a licensed marriage and family therapist who develops the child’s treatment plan and oversees their progress. A second professional, sometimes called a mid-level supervisor, works directly with the parent or caregiver to help carry out the child’s treatment plan.  

More Information 

If you’re interested in learning more about parent-mediated treatment programs, reach out to your behavioral health therapist today.