Skip to main content

Internet-Delivered Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (I-PCIT) for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Rationale, Considerations, and Lessons Learned

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Children on the Autism Spectrum

Abstract

Despite the efficacy of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), problems with accessibility, availability, and acceptability have historically undermined the broad reach of this valuable intervention. For families of children with ASD, the extent of unmet health care needs is especially concerning—roughly one-third of children with ASD experience problems accessing quality care. Harnessing technology to reach families in their homes not only increases the accessibility of quality treatment, but can also offer additional benefits, such as maximizing the generalizability of care by treating families in their natural settings. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the rationale, considerations, and state of the research for utilizing Internet-delivered PCIT (I-PCIT), with a focus on the treatment of children with ASD. We provide a case illustration and conclude with a summary of lessons learned and future directions for I-PCIT for children with ASD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 429.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Achenbach, T. M., & Rescorla, L. A. (2000). Manual for the ASEBA preschool forms & profiles. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Research Center for Children, Youth, & Families.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Andrade, L. H., Alonso, J., Mneimneh, Z., Wells, J. E., Al-Hamzawi, A., Borges, G., … Kessler, R. C. (2014). Barriers to mental health treatment: Results from the WHO World Mental Health surveys. Psychological Medicine, 44, 1303–1317.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bagner, D. M., & Eyberg, S. M. (2007). Parent-child interaction therapy for disruptive behavior in children with mental retardation: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 36, 418–429.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bagner, D. M., RodrĂ­guez, G. M., Blake, C. A., & Rosa-Olivares, J. (2013). Home-based preventive parenting intervention for at-risk infants and their families: An open trial. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 20, 334–348.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bagner, D. M., Sheinkopf, S. J., Vohr, B. R., & Lester, B. M. (2010). Parenting intervention for externalizing behavior problems in children born premature: An initial examination. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 31, 209–216.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Baker, B. L., Blacher, J., Crnic, K. A., & Edelbrock, C. (2002). Behavior problems and parenting stress in families of three year old children with and without developmental delays. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 107, 433–444.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baker, B. L., McIntyre, L. L., Blacher, J., Crnic, K., Edelbrock, C., & Low, C. (2003). Pre-school children with and without developmental delay: Behaviour problems and parenting stress over time. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 47, 217–230.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bauminger, N., Solomon, M., & Rogers, S. J. (2010). Externalizing and internalizing behaviors in ASD. Autism Research, 3, 101–112.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Budd, K. S., Hella, B., Bae, H., Meyerson, D. A., & Watkin, S. C. (2011). Delivering parent–child interaction therapy in an urban community clinic. Cognitive & Behavioral Practice, 18, 502–514.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, J. D. (2012). An affective dimension within oppositional defiant disorder symptoms among boys: Personality and psychopathology outcomes into early adulthood. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 53, 1176–1183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, J. D., Rowe, R., & Boylan, K. (2014). Functional outcomes of child and adolescent oppositional defiant disorder symptoms in adult men. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 55, 264–272.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2013) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/use-of-mental-health-services-and-treatment-among-children.shtml

  • Chasson, G. S., Harris, G. E., & Neely, W. J. (2007). Cost comparison of early intensive behavioral intervention and special education for children with autism. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 16, 401–413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiri, G., & Warfield, M. (2012). Unmet need and problems accessing core health care services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Maternal & Child Health Journal, 16, 1081–1091.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chou, T., Bry, L. J., & Comer, J. S. (2017). Overcoming traditional barriers only to encounter new ones: Doses of caution and direction as technology-enhanced treatments begin to “go live”. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 24, 241–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chou, T., Comer, J. S., Turvey, C. L., Karr, A., & Spargo, G. (2016). Technological considerations for the delivery of real-time child telemental healthcare. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 26, 192–197.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Comer, J. S. (2015). Introduction to the special section: Applying new technologies to extend the scope and accessibility of mental health care. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 22, 253–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Comer, J. S., & Barlow, D. H. (2014). The occasional case against broad dissemination and implementation: Retaining a role for specialty care in the delivery of psychological treatments. American Psychologist, 69, 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Comer, J. S., Chow, C., Chan, P., Cooper-Vince, C., & Wilson, L. A. S. (2013). Psychosocial treatment efficacy for disruptive behavior problems in young children: A meta-analytic examination. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 52, 26–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Comer, J. S., Furr, J. M., Cooper-Vince, C., Madigan, R. J., Chow, C., Chan, P., … Eyberg, S. M. (2015). Rationale and considerations for the Internet-based delivery of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 22, 302–316.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Comer, J. S., Furr, J. M., Kerns, C. E., Miguel, E., Coxe, S., Elkins, R. M., … Freeman, J. B. (2017). Internet-delivered, family-based treatment for early-onset OCD: A pilot randomized trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 85, 178–186.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Comer, J. S., Furr, J. M., Miguel, E. M., Cooper-Vince, C. E., Carpenter, A. L., Elkins, R. M., … Chase, R. (2017). Remotely delivering real-time parent training to the home: An initial randomized trial of Internet-delivered parent-child interaction therapy (I-PCIT). Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 85, 909–917.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cummings, J. R., Lynch, F. L., Rust, K. C., Coleman, K. J., Madden, J. M., Owen-Smith, A. A., … Coren, L. A. (2016). Health services utilization among children with and without autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46, 910–920.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • de Marchena, A. B., Eigsti, I., & Yerys, B. E. (2015). Brief report: Generalization weaknesses in verbally fluent children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 3370–3376.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Donenberg, G., & Baker, B. L. (1993). The impact of young children with externalizing behaviors on their families. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 21, 179–198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doss, B., Feinberg, L. K., Rothman, K., Roddy, M. K., & Comer, J. S. (2017). Using technology to enhance and expand interventions for couples and families: Conceptual and methodological considerations. Journal of Family Psychology, 31, 983–993.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenhower, A. S., Baker, B. L., & Blacher, J. (2005). Preschool children with intellectual disability: Syndrome specificity, behaviour problems, and maternal well-being. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 49, 657–671.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Estes, A., Munson, J., Dawson, G., Koehler, E., Zhou, X. H., & Abbott, R. (2009). Parenting stress and psychological functioning among mothers of preschool children with autism and developmental delay. Autism, 13, 375–387.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eyberg, S. M., & Funderburk, B. (2011). Parent-child interaction therapy protocol. Gainesville, FL: PCIT International Publishing Retrieved from pcit.org

    Google Scholar 

  • Eyberg, S. M., Nelson, M. M., & Boggs, S. R. (2008). Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents with disruptive behavior. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 37, 215–237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eyberg, S. M., Nelson, M. M., Ginn, N. C., Bhuiyan, N., & Boggs, S. R. (2013). Dyadic parent child interaction coding system: Comprehensive manual for research and training (4th ed.). Gainesville, FL: PCIT International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eyberg, S. M., & Pincus, D. (1999). Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory and Sutter-Eyberg Student Behavior Inventory: Professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galanter, R. G., Self-Brown, S., Valente, J. R., Dorsey, S., Whitaker, D. J., Bertuglia-Haley, M., & Prieto, M. (2012). Effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy delivered to at-risk families in the home setting. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 34, 177–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ginn, N. C., Clionsky, L. N., Eyberg, S. M., Warner-Metzger, C., & Abner, J. (2017). Child directed interaction training for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Parent and child outcomes. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 48, 101–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greene, R. W., Biederman, J., Zerwas, S., Monuteaux, M. C., Goring, J. C., & Faraone, S. V. (2002). Psychiatric comorbidity, family dysfunction, and social impairment in referred youth with oppositional defiant disorder. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 159, 1214–1224.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Health Resources & Services Administration. (2013). Report to Congress on the Nation’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Workforce Issues. Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/PEP13-RTC-BHWORK/PEP13-RTC-BHWORK.pdf

  • Hilty, D. M., Ferrer, D. C., Parish, M. B., Johnston, B., Callahan, E. J., & Yellowlees, P. M. (2013). The effectiveness of telemental health: A 2013 review. Telemedicine Journal and E-Health, 19, 444–454.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, G., Petty, C., Wozniak, J., Henin, A., Fried, R., Galdo, M., … Biederman, J. (2010). The heavy burden of psychiatric comorbidity in youth with autism spectrum disorders: A large comparative study of a psychiatrically referred population. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40, 1361–1370.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaat, A. J., & Lecavalier, L. (2013). Disruptive behavior disorders in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: A review of the prevalence, presentation, and treatment. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 1579–1594.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaminski, J. W., & Claussen, A. H. (2017). Evidence base update for psychosocial treamtents for disruptive behaviors in children. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 46, 477–499.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E. (2003). Psychotherapy for children and adolescents. Annual Review of Psychology, 54, 253–276.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keenan, K., & Wakschlag, L. S. (2000). More than the terrible twos: The nature and severity of behavior problems in clinic-referred preschool children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 28, 33–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • King, S. M., Iacono, W. G., & McGue, M. (2004). Childhood externalizing and internalizing psychopathology in the prediction of early substance use. Addiction, 99, 1548–1559.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krauss, M. W., Gulley, S., Sciegaj, M., & Wells, N. (2003). Access to specialty medical care for children with mental retardation, autism, and other special health care needs. Mental Retardation, 41, 329–339.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lesack, R., Bearss, K., Celano, M., & Sharp, W. G. (2014). Parent–Child Interaction Therapy and autism spectrum disorder: Adaptations with a child with severe developmental delays. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 2, 68–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masse, J. J., McNeil, C. B., Wagner, S., & Quetsch, L. B. (2016). Examining the efficacy of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with Children on the Autism Spectrum. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25, 2508–2525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McHugh, R. K., & Barlow, D. H. (2010). The dissemination and implementation of evidence-based psychological treatments: A review of current efforts. American Psychologist, 65, 73–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morse, G., Salyers, M. P., Rollins, A. L., Monroe-DeVita, M., & Pfahler, C. (2012). Burnout in mental health services: A review of the problem and its remediation. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 39, 341–352.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, K. M., Nelson, E. L., Hilty, D. M., Rabinowitz, T., Barwell, S. S., Bernard, J., … Wright, S. (2017). American Telemedicine Association Practice Guidelines for Telemental Health with Children and Adolescents. Telemedicine and e-Health, 23, 779–804.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Owens, P. L., Hoagwood, K., Horowitz, S. M., Leaf, P. J., Poduska, J. M., Kellam, S. G., & Ialongo, N. S. (2002). Barriers to children’s mental health services. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 41, 731–738.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Polycom. (2001). Video communications: Building blocks for a simpler deployment. Retrieved from http://learningcenter.polycom.com/plconline/courses/EndUser/pvx/download/vc_deploy.pdf

  • Soderstrom, H., Sjodin, A., Carlstedt, A., & Forsman, A. (2004). Adult psychopathic personality with childhood-onset hyperactivity and conduct disorder: A central problem constellation in forensic psychiatry. Psychiatry Research, 121, 271–280.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, M., Ono, M., Timmer, S., & Goodlin-Jones, B. (2008). The effectiveness of Parent Child Interaction Therapy for Families of Children on the Autism Spectrum. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 1767–1776.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Talebi, M., Matheson, K., & Anisman, H. (2016). The stigma of seeking help for mental health issues: Mediating roles of support and coping and the moderating role of symptom profile. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 46, 470–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, R., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2007). Behavioral outcomes of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy and Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: A review and meta-analysis. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 35, 475–495.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • United States Census Bureau. (2012). Computer and Internet access in the United States: 2012. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2012/demo/computer-internet/computer-use-2012.html

  • Ware, L. M., McNeil, C. B., Masse, J., & Stevens, S. (2008). Efficacy of in-home Parent–Child Interaction Therapy. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 30, 99–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webster-Stratton, C., Reid, M. J., & Hammond, M. (2004). Treating children with early-onset conduct problems: Intervention outcomes for parent, child, and teacher training. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 33, 105–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Natalie Hong .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Hong, N., Feinberg, L.K., Garcia, D., Comer, J.S., Bagner, D.M. (2018). Internet-Delivered Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (I-PCIT) for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Rationale, Considerations, and Lessons Learned. In: McNeil, C., Quetsch, L., Anderson, C. (eds) Handbook of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Children on the Autism Spectrum. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03213-5_30

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics