Homa Rezaee - Razi Psychiatric Hospital,University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Jalil Younesi - Department of Measuring and Assessment, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.
Mojgan Farahbod - Health Care Management, Research Institute of Exceptional Children, Ministry of Education, Tehran, Iran.
Maryam Ranjbar - Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a modulated program of parenting skills and to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing autistic symptoms and increasing parental adjustment. Methods: This quasi-experimental study utilized in two phases, a pretest- posttest design and a control group. First, a treatment program with both individual and group structure was constructed considering available treatments such as cognitive–behavior therapy, social stories, and play therapy catered to autistic children and the needs of their families. The program consisted of techniques such as acceptance, common cognitive errors challenge, control of thoughts, emotions and behavior, the principles of reward and punishment, and crisis management etc. The validity of the program was confirmed by four experts. Secondly, ۲۶ volunteer qualified couples selected from the parents were referred to a rehabilitation center in Tehran, and were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The pretest was performed for all participants. Then, the control group was kept away from the program during the ۱۰ sessions of group, four sessions of individual, and two sessions of family therapy for each couple in the experiment group.  Results: Univariate analysis of Covariance showed that the program significantly improved marital adjustment in parents (F=۲۲.۰۱۸, P=۰.۰۰۱), and successfully reduced the symptoms of autistic disorder in social interaction (F=۵.۷۳۳, P=۰.۰۲۷) and relations (F=۱۰.۰۷, P=۰.۰۰۵). However, it did not significantly affect stereotyped behaviors (F=۴.۳۰۴, P=۰.۰۵۳) and development (F=۰.۴۴۸, P=۰.۵۱۱) of autistic children in the experimental group. Discussion: The compiled parenting program is recommended to improve parental empowerment for the families of autistic children, because it is capable of reducing autistic symptoms in social interaction and relationships as well as improving marital adjustment in such families.

Modulated program, Parenting skills, Children, Autism, Autistic symptoms