A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial of a School-Based Resilience Intervention to Prevent Depressive Symptoms for Young Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Mixed Methods Analysis

IntroductionThe majority of young autistic children display impairing emotional and behavioural difficulties that contribute to family stress. There is some evidence that behavioural parenting interventions are effective for reducing behavioural difficulties in autistic children, with less evidence assessing change in emotional difficulties. Previous trials have tended to use unblinded parent-report measures as primary outcomes and many do not employ an active control, limiting the conclusions that can be drawn.Methods and analysisThe Autism Spectrum Treatment and Resilience study is a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) testing the specific effect of a 12-week group parenting intervention (Predictive Parenting) on primary and secondary outcomes, in comparison to an attention control condition consisting of psychoeducation parent groups. Following a feasibility study to test research procedures and the interventions, the pilot RCT participants include 60 parents of autistic children aged 4–8 years who are randomised to Predictive Parenting versus the attention control. Measures are administered at baseline and post intervention to assess group differences in child and parent outcomes, costs and service use and adverse events. The primary outcome is an objective measure of child behaviours that challenge during interactions with their parent and a researcher. The trial aims to provide data on recruitment, retention, completion of measures and acceptability of the intervention and research protocol, in addition to providing a preliminary indication of potential efficacy and establishing an effect size that could be used to power a larger-scale efficacy trial. We will also provide preliminary estimates of the cost-effectiveness of the interventions.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was granted from NHS Camden and Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee (ref: 16/LO/1769) along with NHS R&D approval from South London and Maudsley, Guy’s and St Thomas', and Croydon Health Services NHS Trusts. The findings will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.Trial registration numberISRCTN91411078

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A randomised controlled trial of an iPad-based application to complement early behavioural intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry ◽

10.1111/jcpp.12752 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 58 (9) ◽

pp. 1042-1052 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Andrew J.O. Whitehouse ◽

Joanna Granich ◽

Gail Alvares ◽

Margherita Busacca ◽

Matthew N. Cooper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Behavioural Intervention ◽

Randomised Controlled

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Managing Repetitive Behaviours in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial of a New Parent Group Intervention

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders ◽

10.1007/s10803-015-2474-x ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 45 (10) ◽

pp. 3168-3182 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Victoria Grahame ◽

Denise Brett ◽

Linda Dixon ◽

Helen McConachie ◽

Jessica Lowry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Group Intervention ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Repetitive Behaviours ◽

Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Parent Group ◽

Young Children With Autism ◽

Randomised Controlled

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Sleeping sound with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): study protocol for an efficacy randomised controlled trial of a tailored brief behavioural sleep intervention for ASD

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029767 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. e029767 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nicole Papadopoulos ◽

Emma Sciberras ◽

Harriet Hiscock ◽

Katrina Williams ◽

Jane McGillivray ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Family Functioning ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Children’S Sleep

IntroductionSleep problems are a characteristic feature of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with 40% to 80% of children experiencing sleep difficulties. Sleep problems have been found to have a pervasive impact on a child’s socio-emotional functioning, as well as on parents’ psychological functioning. The Sleeping Sound ASD project aims to evaluate the efficacy of a brief behavioural sleep intervention in reducing ASD children’s sleep problems in a fully powered randomised controlled trial (RCT). Intervention impact on child and family functioning is also assessed.Methods and analysisThe RCT aims to recruit 234 children with a diagnosis of ASD, aged 5–13 years, who experience moderate to severe sleep problems. Participants are recruited from paediatrician clinics in Victoria, Australia, and via social media. Families interested in the study are screened for eligibility via phone, and then asked to complete a baseline survey online, assessing child sleep problems, and child and family functioning. Participants are then randomised to the intervention group or treatment as usual comparator group. Families in the intervention group attend two face-to-face sessions and a follow-up phone call with a trained clinician, where families are provided with individually tailored behavioural sleep strategies to help manage the child’s sleep problems. Teacher reports of sleep, behavioural and social functioning are collected, and cognitive ability assessed to provide measures blind to treatment group. The primary outcome is children’s sleep problems as measured by the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire at 3 months post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes include parent and child quality of life; child social, emotional, behavioural and cognitive functioning; and parenting stress and parent mental health. Cost-effectiveness of the intervention is also evaluated.Ethics and disseminationFindings from this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at national and international conferences, local networks and online.Trial registration numberISRCTN14077107 (ISRCTN registry dated on 3 March 2017).

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