ASD Parent Trainer: Online Coaching for Parents of Children With Autism

NCT02469870 | Completed Results

• 1 other identifier: 2R44MH102845-02
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 156
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The evaluation of the program efficacy will be conducted via a randomized control study with 136 parents of children aged 3-8 who have autism. Investigators will test whether, compared to a content comparison group (CC), administration of the APT program over a 3-week intervention period (a) improves child behaviors, (b) increases perceived quality of life, (c) decreases parental stress, (d) increases positive parenting practices, and (e) increases parent knowledge of evidence-based support practices.

Conditions

Autism Disorder

Keywords

Parents of children who have autism; video-conferencing; Applied Behavior Analysis; Acceptance Commitment Training; optimism training; Positive Behavior Support

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Child Behavior Measured by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman, 1997)

  Examining change over time points (T2-T1) This 25-item parent-report version of a behavioral screening questionnaire has been used with children aged 3 to 16 years of age. It assesses both positive and negative behaviors in the following domains: conduct problems, inattention-hyperactivity, emotional symptoms, peer problems, and pro-social behavior. The SDQ-P has demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties and is available in Spanish (Goodman, 2001).Total range of scores is from 0 to 50. The prosocial items are reverse scored for the total scale so that on the total scale higher scores indicate worse behaviors.

  Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks)

• Family Quality of Life as Measured by Family Quality of Life Survey (Summers et al., 2005)

  Examining change over time points (T2-T1) Quality of Life was measured using the Family Quality of Life survey (FQOL; Summers et al., 2005), which is a 25-item measure of the quality of life for a family raising a child with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The outcomes measured are: quality of life in the domains of parenting, emotional well-being, physical/material well-being, and disability-related supports using a 5-point scale with responses ranging from (1) very dissatisfied to (5) very satisfied. The average score on the total scale was used in the analysis. The range is from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating more positive outcomes.

  Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks)

• Parenting Scale (Arnold, O'Leary, Wolff, & Aker, 1993)

  Examining change over time points (T2-T1) Parenting Practices will be assessed using the Parenting Scale (PS; Arnold, O'Leary, Wolff, \& Aker, 1993) a 30-item, 7 point Likert-like scale with three subscales (laxness, over-reactivity, and hostility). The scale has internal consistency for the total scale and subscales (α = .78 and - .83 respectively) and has been evaluated for factor structure and validity (Rhoades \& O'Leary, 2007). The average score on the total scale was used in the analysis with a range of 1 to 7 with lower scores indicating more positive outcomes.

  Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks),

• Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised (SIB-R; Bruininks, Woodcock, Weatherman, & Hill, 1996)

  Examining change over time points (T2-T1) The SBI-R is a 40-item, 7-point scale that measures 14 areas of adaptive behaviors and 8 areas of maladaptive behaviors. We used the total adaptive scale with a total range of 0 to 120 with higher scores indicating better outcomes.

  Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Knowledge About Applied Behavior Analysis and Acceptance Commitment Training Measured by Questionnaire

  Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks)

• Consumer Satisfaction Questionnaire

  Follow up (6 weeks)

Study Arms (2)

Autism Parent Trainer (APT)

EXPERIMENTAL

Practiced Routines was a facilitated program. It was organized into four modules that included a total of seven videos ranging from 3-13 minutes each. The topics overlapped with those in the TR program, but included more explicit information on function-based strategies, as well as mindfulness practice. Participants were assigned six fillable forms, and provided supplemental data collection tools. Additional resources focused on mindfulness and PBS within family routines. Eighteen brief guided audio meditations were available to participants via the Practiced MindTM mobile application. The meditations focused on bringing the parents' awareness to both internal and external experiences and helping them act intentionally.

Behavioral: Autism Parent Trainer (APT)

Teaching Routines (Control

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Teaching Routines was entirely self-directed. The program included eight modules with videos for each ranging 3 - 5 minutes in duration. The topics were antecedent-behavior-consequence method, creating task analyses, antecedent-based strategies, communication, reinforcement, teaching methods, and overcoming obstacles. Participants were assigned six activities using fillable forms and provided additional resources including examples, a glossary of terms, and a list of websites. No feedback was given to the parents apart from the automated completion responses. The participants were given access to the TR LMS for the duration of the study, but post and follow-up assessments were completed at 6 and 10 weeks (i.e., same as the PR condition).

Behavioral: Teaching Routines (Control)

Interventions

Autism Parent Trainer (APT) BEHAVIORAL

Experimental condition

Autism Parent Trainer (APT)

Teaching Routines (Control) BEHAVIORAL

Content comparison group.

Teaching Routines (Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Parents of children aged 3-8 who have autism

You may not qualify if:

• none

Sponsors & Collaborators

• IRIS Media Inc: lead

Study Sites (1)

IRIS Educational Media

Eugene, Oregon, 97401, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autistic Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Limitations and Caveats

The most significant limitation of this study was that it was underpowered for a content comparison study.

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Dr. Jordan Pennefather
• Organization: Trifoia

jordanp@trifoia.com

1-877-874-3642

Study Officials

• Nell Caraway, BA

  IRIS Educational Media

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Meme Hieneman, Ph.D., BCBA

  IRIS Educational Media

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: No
• Restrictive Agreement: No

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 8, 2015
• First Posted: June 12, 2015
• Study Start: August 1, 2016
• Primary Completion: October 1, 2017
• Study Completion: October 30, 2017
• Last Updated: February 5, 2020
• Results First Posted: February 5, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-01

Locations

US (1)