The Effect of Family-Centered Nature Therapy on Interactions Between Parent and Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children often have a negative attitude towards themselves. They are often negatively affected by these challenges and the failure of their children. Thus, their interaction with their children is negatively influenced. The present study aimed to investigate the potential effect of family-centered nature therapy on the interaction of parents with their children. Methods: The present research was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design and a control group. Statistical population included all ASD children aged 3-7 years in Tehran City, Iran. A sample of 14 children with ASD were selected through convenience sampling method. The subjects were non-randomly assigned into either the experimental or control groups. The necessary data were collected through Parent-Child Relationship Scale (PCRS) and the program of nature therapy developed on the basis of the current theoretical frameworks and research findings. The collected data were subjected to descriptive statistical analyses and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The obtained results suggested that the Mean±SD score of experimental group on PCRS after the treatment was 100.14±11.82. While the Mean±SD score of the control group was 84.14±3.93. Moreover, the results of the statistical tests revealed that the difference between the experimental and control groups was statistically significant, indicating that the family-centered nature therapy was effective in improving the parents' interactions with their ASD children. In addition, the ANCOVA results indicated that the estimated F (13.32) was statistically significant at P=0.001, indicating that the treatment had a positive effect on the dependent variable. Discussion: Family-centered nature therapy was effective in improving the parents' relationship with their children. The ASD children had fewer conflicts with their parents, enjoyed a positive relationship with their parents, and showed lower dependence on their parents after receiving the treatment. Therefore, this therapy can be a complementary method along with other standard treatments received by ASD children. It is an effective, simple and readily accessible option to improve the interaction of parents with their ASD children.

Nature-Based Interventions for Autistic Children

“…A total of 24 studies with 717 participants (mean age range, 5.3 to 17.8 years; 141 [21.9%] female) were included. The search process and results are presented in the Figure.…”

“…The titles and abstracts of the remaining 1906 records were screened; 179 were retained for full-text screening, of which 143 studies were excluded. After assessing the eligibility, 24 studies were included.…”

“…The 24 studies included 7 RCTs, 6 quasi-experimental studies with control groups, and 11 single-group before-and-after studies (eTable 13 in Supplement 1). The included studies were published in English within the last 16 years (2006 to 2022); 12 studies were from the United States, 2 studies were from the United Kingdom, 2 studies were from Italy, 2 studies were from Iran, and there was 1 study each from Brazil, Canada, China, India, Israel, and Spain, with sample sizes ranging from 4 to 116 participants. No adverse effects were reported from included studies.…”

“…The lack of allocation concealment was noted in all RCTs. Among 17 non-RCT studies, 3 studies were classified as having low overall ROB and 3 studies were noted as having moderate overall ROB. Critical overall ROB was noted in 11 studies using the ROBIN-I tool (eFigure 2 in Supplement 1).…”

Restoring Connectedness in and to Nature: Three Nordic Examples of Recontextualizing Family Therapy to the Outdoors

“…In addition, the group format diminished the parents’ sense of isolation, shame, and embarrassment. Family-centered nature-based therapy has also been noted to improve interactions between parents and children with ASD ( Ramshini et al, 2018 ). In a similar vein, participation in a family leisure camp for children with ASD initially increased different aspects of family functioning, even though most of the effects no longer differed from baseline at 6-months follow-up ( Wenzel et al, 2020 ).…”