Group Psychoeducational Intervention for Grandparents of Young Children with ASD: An Open Feasibility Study

This initial open feasibility trial reports on feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the manualized, group-based psychoeducationalintervention for grandparents of preschool-aged children with ASD provided by the outpatient habilitation servicesin Stockholm, Sweden. One hundred and twenty non-custodial grandparents participated in a 6-h intervention program. Thestudy demonstrated good feasibility: 114 (95%) grandparents completed both pre- and post-intervention measures and evaluationsand reported high intervention acceptability. The results also indicated that grandparents increased their knowledgeabout ASD from pre-intervention to post-intervention, gained skills about strategies of supporting their grandchildren andadult children, and appreciated the opportunity to meet and share experiences with other grandparents. Follow-up with arandomized controlled trial design is needed to firmly establish efficacy of this intervention.