webster stratton parenting course (DD has autism). useful?

[chocjunkie]

we have been offered a place on a 12 week parenting course. this is (apart from some sessions of SALT) the only help we have ever received for DD from the NHS

DD is 4 and has autism (on the more severe end and very delayed s&l).

anybody been on this course? any good or a waste of time? tbh, we have so many strategies in place, I do not think that after 4 years of living with a child with autism there is a lot to learn for us iyswim. on the other hand, I would not want to turn down anything that might actually teach me a thing or two

unless it's a hurdle to get through to be offered something more relevant by camhs I wouldn't be inclined to bother tbh. Never done the course myself but from what I've heard and read it's not particularly relevant for severe S & L delay.

Thanks.

friend of mine has been offered a place as well. Her DS is very verbal, no ASD but ADHD. Made me really think as our chikdren's needs could not more different.

And no, course is no condition for something else. Think i will give it a miss. Also too much of a commitment ( also have an NT toddler and go to work 5 days/week so akready at breaking point).

Have you ever done Earlybird? Still not fantastic but autism specific at least. And good for networking with other parents.

No, we didn't. Don't think they offer it round here...

Haven't done this one. Did do early bird tbh best part of it was meeting two other lovely mums. The course itself was pretty dire and only suitable for people who had very limited knowledge of ASD.

Yes did course organised by local respite service for parents of children with ASD ( not high functioning)run by trainers also with ASD parenting experience It was a little helpful but we had to watch the preschool version even though our children were all older (10 - 15) so at times it felt very offbeat. The best bit was the support of other parents not the course itself. The course was I think originally designed for children with ADHD.
For a 4 year old non verbal child it would have to be specifically adapted for autism as it does assume reasoning abilities my 12 year old has not yet developed. It was worth it for the parent support and talking to others in the same boat. We talked ourselves through using the behavioural approaches from the course.
The videos are acted in the USA so you need Mommy talk to follow. Hth

Not keen on it myself, very Camhs based. I much prefer family links or parenting puzzle (same course different name).

Literature review woth reading about Webster stratton, especially page 18.

To summarise: programme is effective in helping child behaviour. As good as individual sessions. Educated parents may derive the same benefit from reading the materials as from attending the courses.

Studies confirm programme's effectiveness, however most have been done on older children, mainly with conduct disorders.

Totally inappropriate (IMO) to be sent on a social-emotional strategies course for behavioural issues due to ASD in a barely verbal child. Unless it's been heavily modified and/or extremely tightly targeted towards non-NT families. I guess they could just keeping the 'brand-name' to retain the evidence-based-courses funding stream.

After all, antibiotics are proven to be very effective but theyre b**r all use if you've got a virus. Think this intervention is probably being wrongly applied. EarlyBird, Hanen or anything ABA-like might actually help.

Thank you all. Very useful. Think i made up my mind ;)

I just asked for an earlybird course and was offered family links. I know a bit about family links as we do it at work and the reason I wanted a course was DD was not responding to the tactics-mostly because she was doing things in order to get the time out she needed.

I've now got a place on the next earlybird course (next sept)if you ring them they may get you on one nearby maybe. I f you want to go on itof course!01226779218