Parents' and Early Childhood Educators' Perceptions of Autism Spectrum Disorder Intervention

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Language Impairments has highlighted the importance of evidence-based practices in addressing pragmatic language difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental language disorder (DLD). Researchers at the Faculty of Letters in Lisbon, Portugal, conducted a survey among 72 participants, including 36 parents and 36 early childhood educators, to analyze their perceptions after implementing the Pragmatic Programme (PICP). The results showed that both parents and early childhood educators considered the intervention effective in improving pragmatic language skills in preschool-age children with ASD and DLD.

Key Takeaways:

  • The presence of pragmatic language difficulties can be lifelong for children with ASD and DLD.
  • Implementing evidence-based practices integrates the best research evidence, clinical expertise, and perspectives of parents/caregivers.
  • The Pragmatic Programme (PICP) was implemented to address pragmatic language difficulties in children with ASD and DLD.
  • A survey was conducted among 72 participants, including 36 parents and 36 early childhood educators, to analyze their perceptions after implementing PICP.
  • The survey results showed that both parents and early childhood educators considered the intervention effective in improving pragmatic language skills.
  • The average score obtained from the parents' perspective about the intervention impact was 6.83 ± 0.29, indicating a strong agreement with the effectiveness of the intervention.
  • The average score obtained from the early childhood educators' perspective was 6.60 ± 0.49, also indicating a strong agreement with the effectiveness of the intervention.
  • The results suggest that the Pragmatic Programme (PICP) is an effective intervention for improving pragmatic language skills in preschool-age children with ASD and DLD.

Statistics:

  • 72 participants were surveyed, including 36 parents and 36 early childhood educators.
  • A total of 11 statements were included in the satisfaction survey, scored individually between 1 (totally disagree) and 7 (totally agree).
  • The average score obtained from the parents' perspective about the intervention impact was 6.83 ± 0.29.
  • The average score obtained from the early childhood educators' perspective was 6.60 ± 0.49.

Sources:

  • "Parents' and Early Childhood Educators' Perceptions after the Implementation of the Pragmatic Intervention Programme (PICP)." Autism and Developmental Language Impairments, 2025,10. (Autism and Developmental Language Impairments - http://journals.sagepub.com/home/dli)
  • Faculty of Letters, University of Lisbon, Portugal. (Contact information: Tatiana Pereira, Center of Linguistics of the University of Lisbon (CLUL), Faculty of Letters, Lisboa, Portugal)
  • NewsRx. Studies Conducted at Faculty of Letters on Autism Spectrum Disorders Recently Published [Parents' and Early Childhood Educators' Perceptions after the Implementation of the Pragmatic Intervention Programme (PICP)]. Mental Health Weekly Digest. May 26, 2025; p 502.