Evaluating PEGASUS - a Group Intervention for Young People With an Autism Spectrum Disorder

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Efficacy of PEGASUS
• Interventions: Behavioral: PEGASUS

• Registration Number: NCT01187940
• Lead Sponsor: Institute of Child Health

Brief Summary

When a clinician gives an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis they hope this will be helpful to the person receiving it and their family. In reality children with an ASD describe few benefits to receiving this diagnosis - they often report feeling confused and stigmatised by it. Parents can also struggle to understand their child's diagnosis and report needing greater support from professionals in this respect (Midence \& O'neill, 1999; Osborne \& Reed, 2008).

Little is known about how to help children and families integrate their ASC 'label' in a positive way. Whilst there is anecdotal evidence that psychoeducation after diagnosis can help, there has been no formal evaluation of this approach and no evidence-based programmes of this type are available. In the current study the investigators aim to test empirically a psychoeducational programme for children with an ASD ('PEGASUS'), using a randomised controlled design. The investigators aim to evaluate whether this psychological and educational intervention impacts positively upon understanding of ASC, self-esteem, functional adaption, well-being and family functioning.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2010-08
• Study First Submitted: 2010-08-23
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-08-23
• Last Update Submitted: 2010-08-23
• Study First Posted: 2010-08-24
• Last Update Posted: 2010-08-24
• Study Start: 2010-09
• Primary Completion: 2012-09

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

1. Received an ASD diagnosis from Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist or Paediatrician.
2. Aware of ASD diagnosis.
3. Aged between 9 and 14 years.
4. Able to function in group setting, as evidenced in educational context.
5. Speaks English

Exclusion Criteria

1. No generalised Intellectual Disability as indicated by IQ below 65.
2. Not engaged in additional formal psychosocial intervention during study period.
3. Not taking psychiatric medication at baseline assessment, or taking a stable dose of psychiatric medication expected to remain constant throughout study participation.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
PEGASUS	PEGASUS	PEGASUS - a psychoeducational group intervention with parallel parent and child sessions.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Autism Knowledge Questionnaire	30 months	All measures taken at baseline, termination of treatment and six months follow-up.
Child Behaviour Checklist	30 months	All measures taken at baseline, termination of treatment and six months follow-up.
Vineland-II, Rosenburg Self-Esteem Scale	30 months	All measures taken at baseline, termination of treatment and six months follow-up.
Parenting Stress index	30 months	All measures taken at baseline, termination of treatment and six months follow-up.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Qualitative interview conducted at baseline and termination.	30 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Institute of Child Health; 🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom