Research in Autism: Parent Intervention

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Autistic Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: Pivotal Response Training; Behavioral: Picture Exchange Communication System

• Registration Number: NCT01258465
• Lead Sponsor: University of California, San Diego

Brief 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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2005-01
• Primary Completion: 2009-12
• Study Completion: 2009-12
• Status Verified: 2010-12
• Study First Submitted: 2010-12-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-12-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2010-12-10
• Study First Posted: 2010-12-13
• Last Update Posted: 2010-12-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 39

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of Autistic Disorder or At Risk of Autistic Disorder
• Age 2-0 to 3-11 years of age
• Use of fewer than 10 functional words at intake

Exclusion Criteria

• Primary diagnosis of mental retardation
• Neurologic pathology (e.g., PKU, encephalitis, brain trauma)
• Major sensory impairment

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Pivotal Response Training	Pivotal Response Training	A naturalistic behavioral intervention designed to facilitate verbal communication.
Pivotal Response Training	Picture Exchange Communication System	A naturalistic behavioral intervention designed to facilitate verbal communication.
Picture Exchange Communication System	Picture Exchange Communication System	Pictorially-based behavioral protocol designed to facilitate communication via picture icons.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mullen Scales of Early Learning	23 weeks with three months follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales	23 weeks and 3 month follow up

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

University of California, Santa Barbara, School of Education, Department of Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology; 🇺🇸 Santa Barbara, California, United States

University of California, San Diego Psychology Department; 🇺🇸 La Jolla, California, United States