Research in Autism: Parent Intervention

Autistic Disorder Clinical Trial

Official title: Research in Autism: Parent Intervention

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this research project was to systematically compare two widely used types of intervention programs for children with autism within a parent training model. In one condition, randomly assigned children were provided with an intervention that typically results in acquisition of expressive words in a large percentage of children diagnosed as having autism, using a well-documented manualized intervention focused on verbal expressive communication only (Pivotal Response Training, PRT). In the other condi¬tion, randomly assigned children received a widely used intervention on the same social communication functions using a well-documented manualized augmentative system of intervention (Picture Exchange Communica¬tion System, PECS) that has been reported to produce verbal and nonverbal communication in large percentages of children diagnosed with autism. Children in the two conditions were compared for development of verbal and nonverbal communication, changes in disruptive behavior, changes in symptoms of autism, and general adaptive behavior gains. In addition, parent satisfaction and stress measures were gathered in order to assess the effects of each intervention on family functioning.

Clinical Trial Description

n/a

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Autistic Disorder

• NCT number: NCT01258465
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of California, San Diego
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: January 2005
• Completion date: December 2009