Effectiveness of a training program among parents of preschool children with ASD in Tunisia: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Raising a child with ASD can be overwhelming and challenging for parents, and it poses different needs that require support, guidance, and education. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention developed to support parents of children with ASD in Tunisia. A randomized controlled trial was carried out in three Autism socio-educational centers in Tunisia. The study was conducted among parents of children with ASD aged 3 to 8 years from November 2020 to January 2022 (N = 31) compared to a control sample of parents of children attending the same centers but received no specific parent intervention (n = 31). The “Blue Hope” program includes eight training sessions delivered through a combination of face-to-face and online sessions. Results showed that the program significantly improved communication and reduced behavior problems in preschool children with ASD, with a significant positive difference noted at the 6-month follow-up. The program also had a positive impact on parental anxiety and depression, with significant and positive differences observed in anxiety and depression scores and the total score at follow-up compared to baseline. These findings suggest that the “Blue Hope” program could be a cost-effective and valuable solution for parents of children with ASD in Tunisia and could be the first step in developing and improving training programs for parents in low-income countries.