Original Manuscript
Clinical Case Studies
2023, Vol. 0(0) 1–17
© The Author(s) 2023
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DOI: 10.1177/15346501231198889
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A Transdiagnostic Prevention
Support Group for Caregivers of
Children With Autism
Spectrum Disorder: A Case
Example
Aileen Kangavary
1,2
, Elizabeth R. Halliday
1
, Jennifer Durocher
1
, and
Jill Ehrenreich-May
1
Abstract
Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience increased levels of stress,
anxiety, and depression compared to caregivers of neurotypical children. The high levels of stress
and the prevalence of emotional disorders experienced by caregivers may negatively impact their
capacity and confidence to effectively manage their child’s complex emotional and behavioral
needs. Given these demands, caregivers of children with ASD require additional support to
improve their psychological well-being and parenting self-efficacy. While support programs and
treatments for children and adolescents with ASD are abundant, prevention programs that
specifically targeted the emotional well-being of caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic were
limited. In this case paper, we describe Coping Options for Parent Empowerment (COPE), a
prevention program for parents adapted from the Unified Protocols for Transdiagnostic Treatment of
Emotional Disorders in Adults, Children, and Adolescents developed during the pandemic. To
alleviate the stressors faced by caregivers during the pandemic and beyond, including increased
caregiving responsibilities and financial difficulties, Project COPE targeted parent anxiety and
depression through four brief, telehealth group sessions provided free of cost for caregivers of
school-age children with ASD. In the case example presented, decreases in anxiety and de-
pression, and increases in parent self-efficacy were reported after completing this program. Key
insights about the intervention’s feasibility and content reported by parents are described.
Findings suggest that the intervention removes some treatment access barriers typically seen in
caregivers of children with ASD during and following the pandemic and that the program can be
modified to increase engagement and acceptability.
1
University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
2
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
Corresponding Author:
Aileen Kangavary, Department of Education, University of South Florida, 4110 USF Apple Dr, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
Email: aileenkangavary@usf.edu