Core Components

The Incredible Years® Helping Preschool Children with Autism Programme is a standalone group-based intervention programme for parents and teachers working with children aged 2–5 years on the autism spectrum or with language delays. It may be used separately for training teachers as a supplement to the IY Teacher Classroom Management Programme and/or for parents who have completed the Parent Autism Programme first.

This programme, delivered in 4-6 weekly 2-3 hour sessions, is clearly operationalised with a comprehensive structured Leaders Manual in which the content of each session is fully described (session protocols) supported by 3 DVDs, weekly home assignments, buddy calls, handouts and the teacher or parent book. The IY teaching methods of the sessions are collaborative and parent or teacher goal directed and include strategies such as: (1) video modelling (2) group discussion, problem solving and support (3) role play practice activities within sessions (4) home practice activities and (5) reading assignments. Parenting/teaching strategies and practices are tailored for use according to the child’s language and developmental level.

Delivery of the programme requires two IY trained leaders and focuses on 3 core topics (1) Language Development (2) Social Interactions and School Readiness (3) Emotional Literacy and Self-Regulation.

Fidelity

Incredible Years® provides a fidelity of implementation’ framework for sites. The steps required to effectively replicate the programme and achieve good outcomes include use of (1) standardised intervention materials; (2) parent training by accredited group leaders; (3) weekly session protocols and participant evaluations; (4) ongoing group leader supervision, consultation and support by IY coaches or mentors; (5) fidelity monitoring using evidence-based measures and final summative evaluations and (6) agency organisational supports

Modifiable Components

This programme can be an adjunct to either the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management Programme, or the Autism Spectrum and Language Delays Programme for Parents.
Group leaders can increase the number of sessions and adjust the pacing of discussion to meet the needs of their group.

• For teachers it is recommended that group leaders offer some classroom visits to provide teachers with support and feedback regarding their behaviour plans.

Support for Organisation / Practice

Incredible Years® Inc. is based in Seattle and offers a series of inter-locking evidence-based programmes targeting parents, teachers and children. The Incredible Years ® Parent and Babies Programme is one of a suite of IY parenting programmes and teacher programmes.

Implementation Support

Incredible Years® Inc. offers new sites/agencies considering use of any of the IY programs a consultation to answer questions and to discuss suitability of the selected programme for the intended population and implementation goals and needs. During this consultation, guidance relating to the importance of local data collection (baseline and follow-up), selecting the correct group leaders fit and, understanding the level of commitment and involvement needed to deliver the programme effectively is covered. Ongoing consultation or support is available at a cost of $210 per hour.

Incredible Years® Inc. provides agencies with a range of materials to support organisational readiness. These materials include an Administrator Packet & Brand License guide and agreement, an Agency Readiness Questionnaire, Administrator Implementation Pyramid, Fidelity Checklists, Cost Planning Spreadsheet and Evaluation questionnaires.

Licence Requirements

There is no licensing requirement to deliver the Incredible Years® Programmes. However, a Brand License Agreement is needed for use if IY materials on web sites.

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs include an upfront one-off purchase of the Helping Preschool Children with Autism Programme priced at $1000.00 which includes 3 DVDs, Leader’s Manual, Incredible Toddlers Guidebook, Incredible Teachers book, Tiny Turtle Puppet, Attention Spotlight Magnet, Attention Spotlight and Calm Down Thermometer Posters and Self-Regulation cards. Additional Leader’s Manuals are available for purchase costing $90.00 plus shipping costs.

Experts in Action DVDs for Group Leaders using Autism Programmes are available as supplementary materials at an additional cost of $345.

Agencies will also need to budget for the cost of the appropriate parent or teacher text for group leaders, teachers and parents attending groups. Toddler book is $19.95, Parent book for ages 3-8 is $24.95 and Teacher book is $29.95 (bulk order discounts available).

Group leader training held over 3 days in Seattle is a requirement costing $690 per person. To participate in this training programme, completion of the Basic Parent 3 days training programme training, Or the IY Teacher Management Programme is a recommended pre-requisite. Alternatively, training can also be hosted at the agency site for a cohort of between 15-25 participants with onsite trainer fees of $1730-2100 per day (plus travel, food and lodging costs). Consultation by phone or in person post training for new groups leaders is recommended and is available at $210 per hour.

Building Staff Competency

Qualifications Required

Group leaders require a Masters degree as a minimum or a professional diploma in an appropriate field such as psychology, social work, education, nursing and psychiatry and must have experience working with young children with ASD and/or experience working with teachers and parents.

Training Requirements

Group leader training is a requirement and is a 2-3 days training course. For teachers completion of the IY Teacher Classroom Management program and experience with children with autism is highly recommended prior to attending the Teacher Autism course.
This training is delivered in Seattle led by certified/accredited mentors. There is currently no accredited UK mentor, so there are no open UK trainings available at this time. However, agencies can purchase training for delivery onsite in the UK to a cohort of 15-25 participants.

Supervision Requirements

Consultation and coaching of leaders is highly recommended by Incredible Years® Inc. although not a requirement. The process includes weekly peer review and self-evaluation of videotapes utilizing process checklists, review of videotape feedback by an IY mentor, review of participant weekly evaluations, onsite consultations once or twice per year with an IY trainer and monthly telephone consultations. The cost of consultations with IY mentors or trainers is $210 per hour.

Accreditation of group leaders is highly recommended to promote assurance of fidelity program delivery although not a requirement unless the programme is being used as part of a research project. This process involves attending a 2-3 day workshop and passing a video review of a session and submission of an application packet that includes weekly parent evaluations and session protocols for two groups. The cost of becoming accredited is $600 which includes detailed video reviews (up to 2) and a supervisory report. If additional video reviews are required, these are available at $105 per hour. Highly competent accredited group leaders may be identified for additional training to become an IY Peer Coach in this programme to support new group leaders (which incurs additional costs).

Theory of Change

The Incredible Years® Helping Preschool Children with Autism Programme is guided by cognitive social learning theory, modelling, attachment, development theories and research. The programme has an explicit logic model which describes the programmes short-term outcomes as (1) Promote child competencies (2) Promote parent and teacher competencies including their support systems. This is overarched by the longer term goal of supporting families and preschool teachers to strategically attend and play with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in ways the promote their development alongside developing support systems for parents and teachers that enhance their confidence and understanding in promoting children’s social, emotional and cognitive development.

Values

The Incredible Years® Helping Preschool Children with Autism Programme – Teachers and Parents as Partners promotes positive relationship building strategies to enable parents and teachers to increase children’s social, emotional regulation, empathy, and language skills whilst decreasing behaviour problems and anxiety.

• Does promoting positive relationships strategies for parents and teachers to improve children on the autism spectrum or with language delays development align with the key values of your service/organisation?

The Incredible Years® Autism Spectrum and Language Delays Programme seeks to help teachers and parents reduce their stress by developing positive support networks and partnerships between parents and teachers working with children with ASD. 

• Does promoting support networks for these teachers or parents align with your values for this population and your organization?

Priorities

The Incredible Years® Helping Preschool Children with Autism Programme – Teachers and Parents as Partners has been developed to provide teachers and parents with techniques, skills and approaches to promote children’s emotional regulation, positive social interactions, language development and school readiness specific to children with autism.

• Is this a current priority for your organisation?

Existing Initiatives 

• Does your service already provide intervention programmes aiming to improve child development and mental health outcomes?
• Does your area have practitioners trained in delivering the Incredible Years® Helping Preschool Children with Autism – Teachers and Parents as Partners Programme?
• Do you have links with CAMHS, Adult Mental Health Services and Child Protection Services to refer onto if required?

Workforce

To deliver the Incredible Years® Helping Preschool Children with Autism Programme – Teachers and Parents as Partners requires 2 trained leaders for a 2-3 hour session per week for 4-6 weeks of the group including booster sessions.  Additionally, leaders will require additional time for preparation, phone calls and potentially home visits. 

• Do you have enough qualified practitioners available to commit to undertake training?
• Do you have enough qualified practitioners available to commit to delivering the full extent of this programme?

Technology Support

To implement the Incredible Years® Helping Preschool Children with Autism Programme – Teachers and Parents as Partners from a technology perspective requires a TV monitor and DVD equipment or computer equipment for USB.

• Do you have access to adequate technology to support practitioners to effectively deliver the technological components of the programme?

Administrative Support

Administrative support is required to recruit parents and teachers, receive referrals, collect and report on evaluation data and feedback, print of materials along with co-ordinating and booking of venues, hospitality, transport and childcare.

• Do you have enough administrative capacity and systems to meet these administrative needs?
• Do you have access to facilities to host the parent group?

Financial Support

Start-up costs include purchase of the programme at $1000; and training for two practitioners ($690 pp in Seattle; or as part of a 15-25 person cohort on site $1730-2100, plus travel and subsistence). Post training consultation is available at $210 per hour. If group leaders apply to become certified/accredited additional funding is required.

• Do you have the finances to pay for practitioners to attend the training and any additional costs for participant text and manuals consultations, coaching, mentoring and accreditation?

Ongoing costs include purchase of materials (Toddler book is $19.95, Parent book for ages 3-8 is $24.95 and Teacher book is $29.95) and the provision of a venue, hospitality, transport and childcare to deliver the programme. 

• Are you able to fund the recurring group delivery costs?

Comparable Population 

The Incredible Years® Helping Preschool Children with Autism Programme – Teachers and Parents as Partners is designed as a programme for all parents and teachers working with children aged 2 – 5 years on the autism spectrum and/or with language delays. 

• Is this comparable to the population you serve?
• Does your organisation have existing contacts with parents and teachers in this population?
• Are you likely to receive enough referrals for eligible families or teachers to populate a recurring programme of Incredible Years® Helping Preschool Children with Autism groups?

Desired Outcome

Incredible Years® Helping Preschool Children with Autism Programme – Teachers and Parents as Partners is a behaviour-based programme that aims to support parents and teachers to play with children with ASD in ways that promote their development alongside developing support systems for parents and teachers that enhance their confidence. 

• Are improvements in child development, learning and mental health priority outcomes for your organisation?
• Do you have other existing initiatives that would be supportive of addressing this need and achieving these outcomes?