The Effectiveness of a Mothers’ Training Program That Is Based on the Strategy of Discrete Trials on the Manding and Motor Imitation Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the effectiveness of a training program for mothers on improving the manding and motor imitation skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. Materials and Methods: This study followed the quasi-experimental approach; one-case design with a pre-, post- and follow-up test. The sample consisted of (8) mothers and (10) of their autistic children from emirate of Ajman, UAE. The researchers validated the study tool, which was the scale of manding and motor imitation, consisting of (56) items. The researchers also created a valid training program for mothers based on the strategy of Discrete Trials. Findings: The results revealed significant differences of the total scores on the scales of manding (12.3 degrees) and motor imitation skills (14.5 degrees) after applying the training. Also, there were statistically significant differences between the total scores of post and follow-up measurements for the skills of manding (1.9 degrees) and motor imitation (1.4 degrees). Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study enhances parents’ enrollment in their children rehabilitation programs and helps the specialists to achieve their goals faster. Children with disabilities could be effevtively engaged in their programs than before.