Extrait

Background and study aims: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour that occurs in around 1% of children. Previous research has shown that the majority of children aged 4-8 years diagnosed with ASD display concerning emotions and behaviours. These include hyperactivity, difficulties with attention, defiance and aggression, and fears and worries. Parents have reported that these difficulties lead to further impairment and additional family stress, therefore effective intervention is needed. There is emerging evidence that parenting programmes that work on aspects of behaviour could be effective in reducing concerning emotions and behaviours in young children with ASD. The aim of the study is to develop and evaluate a group-based programme for parents (ASTAR B) that could be delivered in the NHS and private and voluntary sectors. ASTAR B will be evaluated against a second group-based programmes, ASTAR A. Who can participate? Parents/carers of a child aged 4-8 years diagnosed with ASD. What does the study involve? The ASTAR Study compares two newly developed group programmes for parents of young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Both programmes (ASTAR A and ASTAR B) consist of 12 weekly group sessions. They aim to extend parents’ understanding of ASD and associated difficulties but each intervention has a different focus. ASTAR A includes information about ASD, supporting parents to look after themselves, and promoting use of existing supports and resources. ASTAR B focusses on emotional and behavioural problems and discussing ways of managing these. The ASTAR Study consists of two phases. During the first phase, the study procedures and the group programmes are tested to check that they are acceptable to families. Following this, ASTAR A is directly compared to ASTAR B. During the second phase, families are randomly allocated to one of the two group programmes. To help develop study procedures and programmes that are acceptable to families, parent and therapist views on the procedures and programmes are obtained and an additional eight to ten parents who declined to participate in the study are interviewed. To examine the effects of the programmes on children and parents, families complete study assessments before and after the programme. The study assessments include observing how parents and children interact. Measures of child mental health and behaviour in home and education settings, parental confidence to manage concerning emotions and behaviour, parenting practices, parental stress, parental wellbeing and parental quality-of-life are also obtained. Information on participating families’ service use and costs are sought and the cost-effectiveness of the programmes is examined. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Parents may benefit from the opportunity to take part in a group programme and receive tailored support provided by the therapists during the home visits. Families also benefit from have a detailed assessment about their child completed by trained professionals. We do not anticipate any risks to participating families. Where is the study run from? The study is run in South East London by a team of researchers at King’s College London and therapists at the South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust. When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for? February 2017 to April 2019 Who is funding the study? National Institute for Health Research (UK) Who is the main contact? Dr Melanie Palmer [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Emotional and behavioural problems displayed by 4-8 year old children with autism spectrum disorder

Liens

• isrctn