International Journal of Child Development and Mental Health (Dec 2023)
A model of developmental stimulation by applying the concept of Snoezelen for parents and caregivers of preschool autistic children
Abstract
This study is aimed to develop and to evaluate the validity of the developmental stimulation program by applying the multisensory approach for parents and caregivers of preschool autistic children. This study consisted of two phases. The first phase explored perspectives for design program and analyzed the content validity by examining the index of item objective congruence (IOC). The second phase was a focus group discussion with eight caregivers of preschool autistic children regarding the opinions after implementation. The developmental stimulation program was developed basing on the therapeutic use-of-self approach, daily living activities, play environment and development stimulation, related knowledge and strategies in family’s context, and sharing between families. The program components consisted of three activities for caregivers such as meeting and understanding the nature of individual child, learning of child’s surroundings, and designing of an individual new lifestyle. Validity of the program was acceptable (IOC = 0.6-1.0). After implementing the program in eight families, the result showed four crucial points. First, caregivers were able to understand the natural behavior of the children. Second, the caregivers could improve their child development. Third, there were strengths and limitations of the pilot program. Finally, the way of improving program effectiveness was found out. A model of developmental stimulation by applying the concept of Snoezelen technique for caregivers of preschool autistic children can increase understanding of natural individual child by caregivers. This understanding led to child development progression, adjust surroundings or occupational performances with autistic children, and encourage the empowerment of caregiver needs by supporting system and continuity of services. Further study might consider the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of the program for parents and caregivers of preschool autistic children before implementing in the real situation.
