NCT06374381

Brief Summary

Investigators will test the impact of the PEACE implementation toolkit and determine the level of implementation support needed to improve early intervention providers use of caregiver coaching with families of young children with autism who receive early intervention services. The study will also assess caregiver and child outcomes for families receiving caregiver coaching and the cost effectiveness of the PEACE implementation toolkit. The investigators will enroll 200 early intervention providers, and 400 parent-child dyads.

Trial Health

75
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
600

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
18mo left

Started Dec 2023

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
enrolling by invitation

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress63%
Dec 2023Nov 2027

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 1, 2023

Completed
4 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 19, 2024

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

April 18, 2024

Completed
3.5 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 1, 2027

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 1, 2027

Last Updated

May 12, 2026

Status Verified

May 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

3.9 years

First QC Date

March 19, 2024

Last Update Submit

May 8, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

Early InterventionCaregiver Mediated InterventionsCaregiver or Parent Coaching

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Parent Empowerment and Coaching in Early Intervention (PEACE) Caregiver Coaching Fidelity Tool

    The tool consists of 25 items, rated on a 5-point scale with a rating of 4 or 5 indicating acceptable adherence. A score of 80% indicates adherence on the overall measure (i.e., 80% of the items rated at 4 or 5).

    Weeks 8, 16, and 24 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcomes (6)

  • Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes (PICCOLO)

    6 months (Baseline and Week 24)

  • Autism Impact Measure (AIM)

    6 months (Baseline and Week 24)

  • Social Communication Checklist (SCC)

    6 months (Baseline and Week 24)

  • Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS)

    Baseline

  • Acceptability, Appropriateness, and Adoption measure

    6 months (Week 24)

  • +1 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (4)

Adherent: Continue Online Resources

NO INTERVENTION

Providers who are adherent to parent coaching strategies during the 8 and 16 week timepoints will not be randomized and continue to use the PEACE Online Resources. They will not receive further implementation supports.

Non Adherent: Continue Online Resources

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

After 8 and 16 weeks, providers with low coaching adherence could be randomized to continue using the PEACE online resources with no further implementation supports.

Behavioral: PEACE Online Resources

Non Adherent: Group Facilitation

EXPERIMENTAL

After 8 and 16 weeks, providers with low coaching adherence could be randomized to receive weekly group facilitation.

Behavioral: PEACE Weekly Group Facilitation

Non Adherent: Individual Facilitation

EXPERIMENTAL

After 16 weeks, providers may be randomized to receive individual facilitation with an expert coach if they continue to be non adherent to the use of parent coaching strategies.

Behavioral: PEACE Weekly Individual Facilitation

Interventions

The PEACE online resource includes self-paced training modules that cover the foundations of caregiver coaching, caregiver perspectives towards coaching, strategies for aligning with caregivers and gaining buy-in for coaching, evidence-based strategies to empower caregivers from marginalized backgrounds, and strategies to improve collaboration and cohesion among providers working with the same child. Each module includes brief example videos, easy-to read infographics, tip sheets, and checklists to guide implementation. A virtual communication application, Slack, facilitates frequent communication, enhances social networks among providers, and creates social norms related to the use of caregiver coaching. Providers can post questions or suggestions, share resources, and receive updates about other providers' accomplishments. Consultants frequently post encouraging messages and progress updates to increase motivation and shared norms for coaching.

Non Adherent: Continue Online Resources

Facilitation comprises interactive problem solving and support, a shared understanding of need for improvement, and a supportive interpersonal relationship. Providers participate in 12 weekly group facilitation meetings for one hour virtually with an expert consultant focused on auditing providers' fidelity to caregiver coaching through role-play and performance feedback. Each group meeting aligns with content from the PEACE online resource library modules.

Non Adherent: Group Facilitation

Individual facilitation is delivered virtually for one hour each week for eight weeks with a consultant focused on reflection and problem solving any identified implementation barriers, as well as practice and performance feedback.

Non Adherent: Individual Facilitation

Eligibility Criteria

Age12 Months+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Provider is employed by a Philadelphia EI agency
  • Provider has \> 5 children with/at risk for ASD on their caseload.
  • Child is receiving EI services from a participating provider.
  • Child has a classification of ASD or high ASD risk as determined by the EI system.
  • Child is not transitioning from EI services for at least 6 months.
  • Caregiver speaks English or Spanish (Project ImPACT materials are available in Spanish).
  • Caregiver is willing to participate in weekly coaching sessions.

You may not qualify if:

  • \. Participants will be excluded if they do not speak English or Spanish, as the published intervention materials are currently available in English and Spanish and the research team is able to communicate with participants in English or Spanish only.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Center for Mental Health

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, PervasiveNeurodevelopmental DisordersMental Disorders

Study Officials

  • Melanie Pellecchia, PhD

    University of Pennsylvania

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Masking Details
Outcome assessors will be masked to randomization condition.
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
SEQUENTIAL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

March 19, 2024

First Posted

April 18, 2024

Study Start

December 1, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

November 1, 2027

Last Updated

May 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations