Khoo Chai-Soon, Ramachandram Sathyabama
Child Development Clinic, Paediatric Department, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Malays J Med Sci. 2022 Dec;29(6):146-157. doi: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.14. Epub 2022 Dec 22.
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are susceptible to excessive electronic screen media (ESM) use. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a parent training programme in improving the screen time and social functioning of children with ASD.
This pre-/post-test quasi-experimental study involved parents by providing them with structured education based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)' screen time recommendations. In total, 259 children with ASD aged 3 years old-12 years old were eligible. Of those children, 26 were excluded due to comorbidities or taking medications. Additionally, 28 parents participated. Children's screen time were recorded, and social behaviour was scored using the Social Responsiveness Scale pre- and post-intervention.
There were significant reductions in the average daily screen time of children with ASD after their parents attended the training programme (-51.25 min; 95% CI: -78.40, -24.10). In subgroups with reduced screen time, the treatment effect of the intervention was significant in improving the social responsiveness total score (-3.09; 95% CI: -5.96, -0.22), the social communication scale (-3.64; 95% CI: -5.91, -1.36) and the restricted interest and repetitive behaviour (RRB) scale (-5.27; 95% CI: -10.29, -0.25).
Parental training is effective in reducing screen time and improving social functioning in children with ASD.
自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童容易过度使用电子屏幕媒体（ESM）。本研究旨在评估一项家长培训计划在减少ASD儿童屏幕使用时间及改善其社交功能方面的有效性。
这项前后测准实验研究让家长参与其中，根据美国儿科学会（AAP）的屏幕使用时间建议为他们提供结构化教育。共有259名3岁至12岁的ASD儿童符合条件。其中，26名儿童因合并症或正在服药而被排除。此外，28名家长参与了研究。记录儿童的屏幕使用时间，并在干预前后使用社会反应量表对其社交行为进行评分。
家长参加培训计划后，ASD儿童的平均每日屏幕使用时间显著减少（-51.25分钟；95%置信区间：-78.40，-24.10）。在屏幕使用时间减少的亚组中，干预措施在改善社会反应总分（-3.09；95%置信区间：-5.96，-0.22）、社会沟通量表得分（-3.64；95%置信区间：-5.91，-1.36）以及受限兴趣和重复行为（RRB）量表得分（-5.27；95%置信区间：-10.29，-0.25）方面效果显著。
家长培训在减少ASD儿童屏幕使用时间及改善其社交功能方面有效。
