A pilot randomised control trial of a parent training intervention for pre-school children with autism

• DOI: 10.1007/s00787-002-0299-6
• Publication Date: 2003-11-26T22:36:42Z
• Authors: Auriol Drew; Gillian Baird; Simon Baron-Cohen; Antony Cox; Vicky Slonims; Sally Wheelwright; John Swettenham; Bryony Berry; Tony Charman
• Keywords: Male; Parents; 05 social sciences; 610; Community Mental Health Services; Play and Playthings; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Behavior Therapy; Child, Preschool; Humans; Female; Language Development Disorders; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Curriculum; Autistic Disorder; Social Behavior; Follow-Up Studies

Few attempts have been made to conduct randomised control trials (RCTs) of interventions for pre-school children with autism. We report findings of a pilot RCT for a parent training intervention with a focus on the development of joint attention skills and joint action routines. Twenty-four children meeting ICD-10 criteria for childhood autism (mean age = 23 months) were identified using the CHAT screen and randomised to the parent training group or to local services only. A follow-up was conducted 12 months later (mean age = 35 months). There was some evidence that the parent training group made more progress in language development than the local services group. However, the present pilot study was compromised by several factors: a reliance on parental report to measure language, non-matching of the groups on initial IQ, and a lack of systematic checking regarding the implementation of the parent training intervention. Furthermore, three parents in the local services group commenced intensive, home-based behavioural intervention during the course of the study. The difficulties encountered in the conduct of RCTs for pre-school children with autism are discussed. Methodological challenges and strategies for future well-designed RCTs for autism interventions are highlighted.