Development and Acceptability of a New Program for Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Online Parent Training in Early Behavioral Intervention

Dai et al. (2021) built a free, self-paced online course for parents of children with autism. The course had 14 short modules that showed how to use basic ABA strategies at home.

Parents could watch videos, print tip sheets, and track their progress on a phone or laptop. No live coach was required.

Most parents said the course was clear, enjoyable, and useful. About two out of three parents finished every module.

The team only asked, 'Do parents like it?' They did not yet measure if parent skills or child behaviors improved.

Dai et al. (2023) later ran a larger trial of the same program. Parents again liked the modules and gained knowledge, but child social-communication scores did not rise after four to six months. The later study keeps the online format but shows that liking a course is not enough; child change may need more time or coaching.

Wetherby et al. (2018) also used online parent training, yet added live coach video calls. Toddlers in that study made clear social gains within three months. The difference hints that some real-time feedback may turn parent learning into child progress.

Perez et al. (2015) paired weekly BCBA video chats with parent-led FCT and cut problem behavior by over 90%. Again, live support plus online tools produced strong child outcomes, while the stand-alone modules in Dai et al. (2021) stopped at parent satisfaction.

You can share the Dai modules as a low-cost first step. They build buy-in and teach basic terms. Expect to add live coaching or longer follow-up if you want clear child gains. Use the course as homework between sessions, then review and practice skills together on Zoom.