COMPARISON OF TELEHEALTH AND FACE-TO-FACE DELIVERY FORMATS IN SEATED PLAY INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUSTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)
Date
2023-05
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The study examines the comparison of Face-to-Face and Telehealth delivery
formats as a means to deliver Seated Play (SP) interventions for children with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 15 children with ASD between the ages of 5 and 14 years
old were included in this study and were given SP interventions using either the Face to-Face or Telehealth format. Child related outcomes such as fine motor, social, and
affective states were analyzed in each format and parent and trainer surveys were also
analyzed to understand the efficacy and feasibility of TH delivery formats in
comparison to the standard of care F2F format. Child related average outcomes and
change scores proved that there were no significant differences across the TH or F2F
groups; however, F2F showed a statistical trend of greater improvements in fine motor
outcomes compared to the TH subgroup. The surveys completed by parents and
trainers revealed that both formats were feasible and effective, but the TH format
requires greater parental involvement and involves more communication/technological
issues than the F2F format. The results suggest that F2F and TH are both acceptable
formats; however, TH should be used in areas where there is less access to F2F
interventions or for those who prefer treatment from their own home and have the
means to do so (e.g., better attention and ability to follow instructions and technology
access).