NT-Based Group Psychoeducation for Parents of Autistic Preschoolers in Türkiye

NCT07416903 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Approval No: 2023/06-18
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot randomized study examines the feasibility and preliminary effects of a Naturalistic Teaching (NT)-based group psychoeducation program for parents of autistic preschool children in Türkiye. After providing consent, parents are randomized to one of three conditions: (1) a 10-week NT-based group psychoeducation program delivered weekly (90 minutes per session), (2) a single-session general parenting seminar that does not include autism-specific content (attention control), or (3) a wait-list control group that receives access to intervention materials after the post-test. The primary outcome is parental self-efficacy, assessed using parent-report questionnaires. Outcomes are measured at baseline and post-test, and a later follow-up assessment is used to evaluate whether improvements are maintained. The study also tracks feasibility indicators such as retention and session attendance.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Parenting Self-efficacy

Keywords

Naturalistic Teaching; Psychoeducation; Parent-mediated intervention; Caregivers; Preschool; Early intervention; Parent training; Routine-based strategies; Randomized trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Parental Self-Efficacy Score (Turkish Early Intervention Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale)

  Change in parental self-efficacy from baseline to post-test, assessed using the Turkish Early Intervention Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale (13 items; total score range 13-91; 7-point Likert responses; higher scores indicate greater parental self-efficacy \[better outcome\]). The scale includes the Accessing Services and Supports and Parenting Strategies subscales.

  Baseline and 10 weeks (post-test)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Retention Rate

  Baseline to post-test (end of week 10)

Other Outcomes (1)

• Parental Self-Efficacy Score at Follow-up

  Approximately 9 months after post-test

Study Arms (3)

NT-Based Group Psychoeducation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive a Naturalistic Teaching (NT)-based group psychoeducation program consisting of 10 weekly sessions (90 minutes each) for parents of autistic preschool children.

Behavioral: NT-Based Group Psychoeducation

Attention Control: General Parenting Seminar

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive a single-session general parenting seminar (approximately 60 minutes) that does not include autism-specific content (attention control).

Behavioral: General Parenting Seminar (Attention Control)

Wait-List Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants receive no intervention during the study period and are offered access to intervention materials after the post-test assessment.

Interventions

NT-Based Group Psychoeducation BEHAVIORAL

A Naturalistic Teaching (NT)-based group psychoeducation program delivered in 10 weekly sessions (90 minutes each) for parents of autistic preschool children, focusing on routine-embedded strategies and parent empowerment.

NT-Based Group Psychoeducation

General Parenting Seminar (Attention Control) BEHAVIORAL

A single-session general parenting seminar (approximately 60 minutes) focusing on general parenting topics without autism-specific content.

Attention Control: General Parenting Seminar

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Adult (18 years or older).
• Primary caregiver (e.g., mother/father) of a preschool-aged child with autism spectrum disorder.
• Able to attend the sessions (if assigned to the intervention/attention control) and complete study questionnaires.
• Provides informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Inability to provide informed consent.
• Insufficient proficiency in Turkish to complete questionnaires and participate in sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kocaeli University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kocaeli University, Faculty of Education

Kocaeli, Izmit, 41001, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Türker Orkun Arslan, MA

  Kocaeli University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc.Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 9, 2026
• First Posted: February 18, 2026
• Study Start: December 29, 2023
• Primary Completion: April 15, 2024
• Study Completion: January 13, 2025
• Last Updated: February 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: Beginning 3 months after study completion and ending 5 years after study completion.
• Access Criteria: IPD and supporting documents will be shared upon reasonable request to the corresponding author after publication. Requests will be reviewed for scientific merit and compliance with ethics approval and applicable regulations. Data will be provided in de-identified form only, to qualified researchers for non-commercial purposes, under a data use agreement, and via a secure file transfer method.

Locations

TU (1)