The effectiveness of the ETEÇOM online group intervention program offered to fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the ETEÇOM online group intervention program offered to fathers of preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In the study conducted with pretest-posttest control group experimental design, 20 father-child pairs were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The independent variable of the study was the implementation of the ETEÇOM program as online and group training. The dependent variables of the study were a) fathers' interactional behaviors, b) fathers' ability to use ETEÇOM strategies, c) children's interactional behaviors, d) children's ability to use ETEÇOM pivotal behaviors, e) children's social interaction behaviors, and f) opinions of the fathers and mothers of the children in the experimental group about the program and its effectiveness. Different data collection tools were used for the dependent variables in the study. Data were collected with the Turkish Version of Maternal Behavior Rating Scale (MBRS-TV) to measure fathers' interactional behaviors; Parent Strategy Profile (PSP) to measure fathers' level of use of ETEÇOM strategies; Turkish Version of Child Behavior Rating Scale (CBRSTV) to measure children's interactional behaviors; Pivotal Behavior Profile (PBP) to measure children's pivotal behaviors; and Social Interaction Assessment Instrument (SIAI-TV) to measure children's level of social interaction. In addition, social validity data were collected from the fathers and mothers in the experimental group through a satisfaction questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. As a result of the analysis of the research data, it was observed that the fathers of children with ASD who participated in the ETEÇOM program online group intervention were able to use quality adult behaviors and parenting strategies at the desired level in their interactions with their children. In addition, targeted children also made progress in pivotal behaviors and social interaction behaviors as a result of changes. At the same time, fathers who participated in the online group ETEÇOM program and mothers as an outside observer reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. The findings of the study were similar to the studies that examined the interaction patterns of fathers with children with ASD, investigated the effects of the ETEÇOM program, investigated the effectiveness of online interventions offered through parent coaching.