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Improving Hospitalizations for Children With ASD

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Autistic Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Interventions
Other: No Brief AFA
Behavioral: Brief Analogue Functional Analysis
Registration Number
NCT02339935
Lead Sponsor
Vanderbilt University
Brief Summary

This study aims to implement and test a specific brief Applied Behavior Analysis model for assessing and responding to severe challenging behavior during acute medical and behavioral hospitalization for children with ASD. The investigators will evaluate the impact of this program by conducting a randomized trial across both medical and psychiatric hospital settings.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
36
Inclusion Criteria
  • documented diagnosis of an ASD based on clinical DSM-5 diagnostic criteria assessed by attending psychiatrist
  • the presence of a significant challenging behaviors (e.g., aggression, property destruction, self-injury, elopement)
  • admission to the VPH or medical floors
  • individual and caregiver agreement to participate and ability to provide informed consent (and assent).
Exclusion Criteria
  • None

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Control GroupNo Brief AFA20 Children - 10 hospitalized at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and 10 hospitalized at Vanderbilt Psychiatric hospital - will receive all typical standard of care procedures while hospitalized, but will not receive Brief AFA
ABA Treatment GroupBrief Analogue Functional Analysis20 Children - 10 hospitalized at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and 10 hospitalized at Vanderbilt Psychiatric hospital - will receive Brief Analogue Functional Analysis (Brief AFA) targeted to their most problematic behavior(s) while hospitalized
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Aberrant Behavior ChecklistChange from Baseline ABC at Hospital Discharge (an expected average of 42 days) and 3-Months Post-Discharge

The ABC is a well-validated measure designed to assess for the presence of clinically significant challenging behavior in the areas of irritability and agitation, lethargy and social withdrawal, stereotypic behavior, hyperactivity and noncompliance, and inappropriate speech.

Decrease in Length of HospitalizationParticipants will be followed from admission to discharge, an expected average of 42 days

Reduction in the days hospitalized past medical clearance).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Clinical Global Impression Scales of SeverityBaseline and Day of Patient's Discharge (an expected average of 42 days from admission)

Attending physician's impressions of participant's clinical impairment and improvement.

Blinded Observational RatingsParticipants will be followed for duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 42 days

Blinded coding of the challenging behaviors targeted in the treatment arm

Physician/Nurse/Family Perception of CareDay of Patient's Discharge (an expected average of 42 days from admission)

The primary medical attending, lead discharge nurse staff member, and the child's primary parent will also be asked at discharge to provide both quantitative and qualitative ratings of challenges and successes during hospitalization. Caregivers will be contacted to complete a simple interview/questionnaire 3- months post-hospitalization regarding changes in the patient's medication, medical conditions, residential/classroom placement, emergency room visits or psychiatric hospitalizations since the discharge date, as well as ratings of successes implementing components of the behavioral strategies plan utilized during the hospitalization (if applicable).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center - MEND Clinic

🇺🇸

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

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