Parents who are trained with specific, structured strategies to manage tantrums, aggression, self-injury, and non-compliance are better able to handle children with autism spectrum disorder, according to a recent study from Yale and Emory University.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a chronic condition beginning in early childhood and defined by impaired social communication and repetitive behavior. ASD affects 0.6 to 1 percent of children worldwide. In young children, ASD is often complicated by moderate or severe behavioral problems.

This 24-week, multisite, randomized trial was conducted by the Research Units on Behavioral Intervention (RUBI) Autism Network, a six-site National Institute of Mental Health-funded consortium dedicated to developing and testing behavioral treatments for children with ASD.

For the study, investigators randomly assigned 180 children between the ages of 3 and 7 with ASD and behavioral problems to either a 24-week parent training program, or a 24-week parent education program. Parent education provided up-to-date and useful information about ASD, but no instruction on how to manage behavioral problems.

"Parent training has been well studied in children with disruptive behavior disorder," Sukhodolsky said. "Our study shows that parent training is also helpful for improving behavioral problems such as irritability and non-compliance in young children with ASD."

The findings are detailed Journal of the American Medical Association.