Brief report : mobile technology to support parents in reducing stereotypy

Abstract

Although behavioral interventions have been known to efectively reduce stereotypy in children with ASD, these types of interventions are not accessible to all families. In response to this issue, we evaluated the efects of the iSTIM, an iOS application designed to support parents in the reduction of stereotypy in their child with ASD. We used a series of AB designs to determine the efectiveness of the iSTIM on stereotypy using parents as behavior change agents. The use of iSTIM by the parents led to a reduction in stereotypy for six of seven participants. Our results suggest that the use of technology may be a cost efective and easily accessible method for parents to reduce stereotypy in their child with ASD.