Purpose Having access to parenting interventions in the early years is key to improve developmental outcomes of children with neurodevelopmental problems. The Incredible Years® Parent Program has been adapted for families of children with autism or language delays (IY-ASLD®). The aim of this study is to analyze the preliminary efficacy of the intervention in the Spanish public mental health services. Methods The FIRST STEPS study is a multicenter, pilot randomized controlled trial. Sixty-two families of children with autism spectrum disorder and preterm children with communication and/or socialization difficulties (aged 2–5 years) were recruited. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the intervention was performed online. A generalized estimating equations model was conducted. Results No significant differences in parental stress (<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\beta\:\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> = 2.01, <InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\rho\:=\:\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>0.640), depressive symptoms (<InlineEquation ID="IEq3"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\beta\:\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> = − 1.42, <InlineEquation ID="IEq4"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\rho\:=\:\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>0.437), child psychopathology (<InlineEquation ID="IEq5"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\beta\:\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> = 0.74, <InlineEquation ID="IEq6"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\rho\:=\:\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>0.886) ), positive parenting <InlineEquation ID="IEq7"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:(\beta\:\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> = 2.25, <InlineEquation ID="IEq8"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\rho\:=\:\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>0.076) or total expressed emotion (<InlineEquation ID="IEq9"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\beta\:\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> = − 0.10, <InlineEquation ID="IEq10"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\rho\:=\:\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>0.605) were found between groups at T2. In terms of expressed emotion at T2, a significant interaction was observed between positive comments at T1 (a subscale of the expressed emotion tool) and study group (<InlineEquation ID="IEq11"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\beta\:\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> = 0.75, <InlineEquation ID="IEq12"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\:\rho\:=\:\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>0.007). Conclusion Future studies should analyze the efficacy of the program using a larger sample. Families showing higher levels of expressed emotion might need more support during the therapy groups to improve this variable. Trial registration The protocol for the study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (ID number: NCT04358484. Unique Protocol ID: PIC-220-19).

FIRST STEPS: A Pilot Randomized Study Analyzing the Preliminary Efficacy of the Incredible Years for Autism Spectrum and Language Delays (IY-ASLD^®)

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发表日期：

2026年3月18日

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Fátima Valencia-Agudo,
Laia Villalta-Macià,
Elena Urbiola-Merina,
Alexandra Garriz-Luis,
Laura López-Moreno,
Mar Rivas-Rodríguez,
Mara Parellada,
Marina Romero-González

摘要

Purpose

Having access to parenting interventions in the early years is key to improve developmental outcomes of children with neurodevelopmental problems. The Incredible Years^® Parent Program has been adapted for families of children with autism or language delays (IY-ASLD^®). The aim of this study is to analyze the preliminary efficacy of the intervention in the Spanish public mental health services.

Methods

The FIRST STEPS study is a multicenter, pilot randomized controlled trial. Sixty-two families of children with autism spectrum disorder and preterm children with communication and/or socialization difficulties (aged 2–5 years) were recruited. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the intervention was performed online. A generalized estimating equations model was conducted.

Results

No significant differences in parental stress ( \(\:\beta\:\) = 2.01, \(\:\rho\:=\:\) 0.640), depressive symptoms ( \(\:\beta\:\) = − 1.42, \(\:\rho\:=\:\) 0.437), child psychopathology ( \(\:\beta\:\) = 0.74, \(\:\rho\:=\:\) 0.886) ), positive parenting \(\:(\beta\:\) = 2.25, \(\:\rho\:=\:\) 0.076) or total expressed emotion ( \(\:\beta\:\) = − 0.10, \(\:\rho\:=\:\) 0.605) were found between groups at T2. In terms of expressed emotion at T2, a significant interaction was observed between positive comments at T1 (a subscale of the expressed emotion tool) and study group ( \(\:\beta\:\) = 0.75, \(\:\rho\:=\:\) 0.007).

Conclusion

Future studies should analyze the efficacy of the program using a larger sample. Families showing higher levels of expressed emotion might need more support during the therapy groups to improve this variable.

Trial registration

The protocol for the study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (ID number: NCT04358484. Unique Protocol ID: PIC-220-19).

FIRST STEPS: A Pilot Randomized Study Analyzing the Preliminary Efficacy of the Incredible Years for Autism Spectrum and Language Delays (IY-ASLD®)

摘要

FIRST STEPS: A Pilot Randomized Study Analyzing the Preliminary Efficacy of the Incredible Years for Autism Spectrum and Language Delays (IY-ASLD^®)