Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with an Autistic Child and Autistic Father: A Case Study

Autistic children occasionally experience disruptive behaviors. Caregivers occasionally experience distress surrounding their autistic child's socioemotional functioning. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) reduces disruptive behaviors among autistic children and improves caregiver self-efficacy. No study has examined if PCIT has been implemented with an autistic parent. This case study explored the implementation of PCIT with an allistic Mother, an autistic Father, and their autistic 4-year-old son. Father was primary caregiver prior to and during treatment. Overall, both caregivers reported reduced disruptive behaviors for their autistic child after completing PCIT treatment. Directions relevant to PCIT implementation are discussed.