Parent Training for Disruptive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder: The RUBI Parent Training Program

Presenter:  Karen Bearss, PhD., Assistant Professor Seattle Children’s Autism Center Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences University of Washington

Karen Bearss, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. She earned her B.S. in Psychology as well as her M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Florida. Prior to joining the UW community, she served as an Associate Research Scientist at the School of Nursing and Child Study Center at Yale University and Assistant Professor at Emory University where her work focused on parenting interventions for children with disruptive behaviors. At UW, she directs the RUBI clinic at the Seattle Children’s Autism Center. Research pursuits focus on the development, evaluation and implementation of evidence-based parenting interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

Training Description

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental condition of early childhood onset characterized by social communication deficits, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. ASD affects 1 in 59 children. In addition to the defining features, as many as 50% of children with ASD exhibit behavioral problems, including tantrums, noncompliance, and aggression. These behaviors interfere with the performance of daily living skills, limit the child’s ability to benefit from educational services, and may increase social isolation. Uncertainty on how to manage these behavioral problems may also amplify caregiver stress. The challenges parents face in raising a child with ASD has sparked interest in the use of parent training (PT) in this population, as it empowers parents to be the agent of change for their child. As a result, PT programs targeting a wide range of skills and abilities in ASD are emerging as effective. The Research Unit on Behavioral Interventions (RUBI) Autism Network developed a structured parent training manual for families of children with ASD and co-occurring disruptive behaviors. The program uses techniques grounded in applied behavior analysis to teach parents how to manage their child’s behavioral problems. We conducted a series of studies on the RUBI program and found that it is acceptable to parents, can be reliably delivered by trained therapists, and reduces children’s noncompliant and disruptive behavior. Because it is a time-limited intervention (11-13 weekly outpatient visits), this PT program can be implemented in a range of settings, including clinics and schools. The purpose of this training is to provide a greater understanding of the prevalence, impact, and treatment of disruptive behaviors in ASD and how parent training is a promising line of treatment for these challenging behaviors.  

Training Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1) Discuss the rationale for parent training as a front-line treatment for children with ASD and disruptive behavior

2) Summarize findings from a series of large-scale randomized clinical trials on the RUBI program

3) Outline key concepts that form the overarching framework of the RUBI program

4) Review implementation strategies for the Core RUBI sessions

5) Describe procedures and modifications required to successfully implement RUBI in novel contexts (clinic setting, group, and telehealth implementation)

RUBI Autism Network Website: www.rubinetwork.org

Credits-Inservice Points- A certificate will be provided by RUBI.  No inservice points will be required.  Each participant will receive a Certificate from the RUBI Network.

  ** All participants will be required to purchase online a visitor parking pass and the books prior to attending the event. All participants are required to buy and read the RUBI Parent Manual and Clinical Manual prior to the training. 

To purchase the books please visit: www.rubinetwork.org

Please purchase your Temporary Parking pass in advance at:  http://www.fau.edu/parking/permits.php

If you require any additional information about this training, please contact: Mercedes Pagano, 561-212-8058 or paganom@fau.edu