CPI Training for Parents of Children With ASD

Parents of children with ASD deal with more stress, especially if their child demonstrates self-injurious and aggressive behavior. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether "Parent-based Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) physical management training program" (i.e., P-CPI) for parents of children with ASD helps alleviate some of this stress and increase parental self-efficacy, physical management competency, and overall quality of life. Participants who meet criteria will be randomly assigned to either the treatment group or the waitlist control group. Participants assigned to the treatment group will be invited to a 6-hour P-CPI group training session. This parent-based training in CPI's Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® will include nonverbal, paraverbal, verbal, and physical intervention techniques. Participants assigned to the waitlist group will be encouraged to continue their existing medical support, or services, as they typically would. The waitlist group will be invited to participate in the P-CPI training at the conclusion of the post-assessment period. Baseline measures will be on the day of training for the treatment group and within five days of the P-CPI training for the waitlist group. Follow-up measures will be at 2-week, and 1, 2, and 3- month post-baseline. The treatment group will also participate in a follow-up group interview.