Parental Involvement in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Children: A Focus on Logistical, Emotional, Social-Relational, and Systematic Challenges

It is important to understand that parental involvement improves therapy outcomes, including ABA therapy. Therefore, the study aims to explore the logistical, emotional, social-relational, and systematic challenges faced by parents in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy for their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our research niche emerged out of the questions that remained unanswered, including the barriers to access and participation, families’ emotional experience, parental social support, and the systematic factors affecting service delivery. Interviews were performed qualitatively with 11 parents of the ASD children who are undergoing ABA therapy. Specific interview questions were created to address the four identified challenges and the effect of those challenges on parental well-being and therapy outcomes. The findings revealed a number of challenges that included time constraints, financial demands, emotional costs, a lack of interaction with therapists and systematic challenges like access to services. Stress and burnout were recorded by most of the parents, indicating that while the costs of ABA therapy can be bearable, the intensity of the therapy may be a burden for most parents to handle. The study has drawn the conclusion that effective ABA therapy necessitates more than parental participation and demands comprehensive support. Some of the recommendations include improving training, reducing logistical burdens, and providing emotional support for parents to ensure their involvement leads to better outcomes for their ASD children.