Liao Yini, Dillenburger Karola, Li Xiaomin, Yao Xi, Mou Yi
Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Center for Behavior Analysis, School of Social Sciences, Education, and Social Work, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
Int J Dev Disabil. 2023 Dec 14;71(4):569-586. doi: 10.1080/20473869.2023.2272088. eCollection 2025.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA)-based interventions have been used worldwide for several decades to improve socially significant behaviors of individuals with autism. However, as the utilization of the ABA-based interventions in the Chinese mainland is relatively new, it remains unclear about some fundamental aspects of using these interventions in this region.
This study investigated the use of ABA-based interventions in Beijing and surrounding areas by using a quantitative survey ( = 85) and a qualitative semi-structured interview ( = 10) to collect data from parents of children with autism.
This study found that (a) the ABA-based intervention service was the most popular one chosen by parents, and the majority of these parents reported improvements in children's behaviors and gave positive evaluations for the work of professionals; (b) this service was mainly delivered at autism organizations (i.e. autism clinics/schools) or children's homes, but rarely used in mainstream school settings; (c) the high cost of ABA interventions was a financial burden for families; and (d) a high proportion of parents were involved in interventions as assistant therapists. Furthermore, some aspects of the use of this service varied with families' socioeconomic levels. The qualitative interviews expounded upon motivations for parents' choices and evaluations for this service.
These findings provided valuable insights for service providers, policymakers, and researchers to optimize ABA-based intervention services for Chinese children with autism.
基于应用行为分析（ABA）的干预措施在全球范围内已使用了数十年，以改善自闭症患者的社会重要行为。然而，由于基于ABA的干预措施在中国大陆的应用相对较新，该地区使用这些干预措施的一些基本方面仍不清楚。
本研究通过定量调查（n = 85）和定性半结构化访谈（n = 10），对北京及周边地区自闭症儿童家长进行调查，以了解基于ABA的干预措施的使用情况。
本研究发现：（a）基于ABA的干预服务是家长选择最多的服务，大多数家长报告孩子的行为有改善，并对专业人员的工作给予积极评价；（b）该服务主要在自闭症机构（即自闭症诊所/学校）或儿童家中提供，但很少在主流学校环境中使用；（c）ABA干预的高成本给家庭带来了经济负担；（d）很大一部分家长作为助理治疗师参与干预。此外，该服务使用的一些方面因家庭社会经济水平而异。定性访谈阐述了家长选择该服务的动机和对该服务的评价。
这些发现为服务提供者、政策制定者和研究人员优化针对中国自闭症儿童的基于ABA的干预服务提供了有价值的见解。
