Evaluating Psychoeducation for People With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Institute of Child Health1 site in 1 country40 target enrollmentSeptember 2010

ConditionsEfficacy of PEGASUS

Overview

Phase: Not Applicable
Intervention: Not specified
Conditions: Efficacy of PEGASUS
Sponsor: Institute of Child Health
Enrollment: 40
Locations: 1
Primary Endpoint: Child Behaviour Checklist
Last Updated: 15 years ago

Overview Investigators Eligibility Criteria Outcomes Sites Similar Trials

Overview

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.

Registry

clinicaltrials.gov

Start Date

September 2010

End Date

September 2012

Last Updated

15 years ago

Study Type

Interventional

Study Design

Single Group

Sex

All

Investigators

Sponsor

Institute of Child Health

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

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

Exclusion Criteria

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