Supporting Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) During Needle-related Hospital Visits Through the Use of Behavior Analytic Strategies
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Treatment Package (for both simulation and procedure sessions
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Sponsor
- Boston Medical Center
- Enrollment
- 10
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Number of participants who have a decrease in challenging behaviors in the presence of medical stimuli (needles)
- Status
- Recruiting
- Last Updated
- last month
Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the behavior analytic intervention in reducing the number of challenging behaviors exhibited by patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) while increasing compliance with needle-related simulations and procedures. A second purpose is to assess the social validity of this study as evidenced by patient and/or caregiver acceptability. The study wil take place at Boston Medical Center (BMC).
A Single Subject Design (SSD) wil be utilized as it allows for detailed, individualized assessment of how interventions affect behavior over time in this type of behavior analytic research. By focusing on each participant as an individual and having each participant act as their own control, it demonstrates clear cause-and-effect relationships, showing how behavior changes with the introduction or withdrawal of an intervention. This method is flexible, enabling ongoing adjustments to treatments based on real-time data, making it particularly useful in personalized interventions and ensuring effectiveness for patients with unique needs such as those who would be eligible to enroll and participate in this study.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Caregivers of autistic patients who have been historically engaged in challenging behaviors during needle-related procedures at a Boston Medical Center (BMC)
- •Established BMC autistic patients (ages 3+) who have a history of engaging in challenging behaviors in the presence of needle-related medical stimuli.
- •BMC Medical Providers (i.e., phlebotomists, medical doctors, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, registered dieticians, and medical assistants) who either: 1) order needle-related medical procedures for participants to be conducted during procedure visits and/or 2) are present to conduct the ordered procedure
- •English speaking participants
Exclusion Criteria
- •Patients who are unable to visit BMC a minimum of 2 times per month
- •No history of challenging behaviors in medical appointments involving the presentation of needle(s)
- •Patients and caregivers who do not speak English or are unable to utilize interpreter services to complete assessments and surveys
Arms & Interventions
Treatment Packet
3-5 autistic BMC patients who have a history of engaging in challenging behaviors during needle-related procedures who are able to attend simulation sessions at BMC at least 2 times per month. A caregiver and clinician will also be recruited for each child participant.
Intervention: Treatment Package (for both simulation and procedure sessions
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Number of participants who have a decrease in challenging behaviors in the presence of medical stimuli (needles)
Time Frame: Baseline, on average 4 months
A challenging behavior is defined as one that is either harmful, disruptive, or difficult to manage as documented on an investigator-developed task list.
Number of task list steps completed in the absence of challenging behaviors
Time Frame: Baseline, on average 4 months
This will be assessed using the investigator-developed task list.