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Autism and Developmental Disorders
2026. Vol. 24, no. 1, 29–37
doi:10.17759/autdd.2026240104
ISSN: 1994-1617 / 2413-4317 (online)

Enhancing parental competence in training sessions for parents of younger school-aged children with ASD

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. The family is a key resource in the socialization of a child with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The high prevalence of educational uncertainty, anxiety, and dysfunctional parenting patterns among parents of children with ASD necessitates the development of specialized programs for psychological and pedagogical support of families. Objective. To pilot the training program "Parent Club," included in the process of psychological and pedagogical support for families with younger school-aged children with ASD. Hypothesis. Participation in the program is positively correlated with an increase in parental competence. Methods and materials. The study involved 50 families raising younger school-aged children with ASD and employed an integrative approach implemented through training sessions. Parental competence levels, psychological barriers, and the significance of family structure in matters of upbringing and education were assessed using a battery of questionnaires (“Family Communication” by E. Aleshina, L. Gozman, E. E.Dubovskaya; PARI by E. Schaefer, R. Bell; “Family Relationship Analysis” by Eidemiller, V. Yustitskis). Indicators of parental anxiety and parental stress were recorded over time. Results. Over the 6-month pilot period of the program, the indicator of established emotional contacts with the child increased from 38% to 70%. Improvement was recorded in 78% of parents on the scales reflecting the child's activity in interaction and the balance of relationships between spouses. Trust and mutual understanding between parents increased by 20%. The overall index of harmonious marital relationships showed a 10% growth. Conclusions. Psychological and pedagogical support through the "Parent Club" program proved to be a significant factor in stabilizing the emotional climate and correcting maladaptive parenting patterns in families with younger school-aged children with ASD. The results obtained confirm the advisability of providing support to parents raising a child with ASD as an important component of comprehensive psychological and pedagogical family support measures.

General Information

Keywords: children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), psychological and pedagogical support, parental competence, parental stress, training program "Parent Club"

Journal rubric: Pedagogical & Parental Experience

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/autdd.2026240104

Received 27.08.2025

Revised 09.03.2026

Accepted

Published

For citation: Lukovenko, T.G., Shovkun, V.A. (2026). Enhancing parental competence in training sessions for parents of younger school-aged children with ASD. Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24(1), 29–37. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/autdd.2026240104

© Lukovenko T.G., Shovkun V.A., 2026

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Tatyana G. Lukovenko, Candidate of Science (Education), Professor, Head of the Higher School of Theory and Methods of Pedagogical and Defectological Education, Director of the Center for Special Educational Needs, Pacific National University, Khabarovsk, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7989-2827, e-mail: lukovenkot@list.ru

Victoria A. Shovkun, Assistant at the Higher School of Theory and Methods of Pedagogical and Defectological Education, Specialist at the Center for Management of Special Educational Needs, Pacific State University, Khabarovsk, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6496-2738, e-mail: 013171@togudv.ru

Contribution of the authors

Tatyana G. Lukovenko — ideas; annotation, writing and design of the manuscript; planning of the research; control over the research.

Victoria A. Shovkun — application of statistical, mathematical or other methods for data analysis; conducting the experiment; data collection and analysis; visualization of research results.

All authors participated in the discussion of the results and approved the final text of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethics statement

The study was conducted with the informed consent of the parents and children.

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