Pivotal Response Intervention Minimal Responders Study
Autism Spectrum Disorder With Impaired Functional LanguageEarly intervention (EI) using naturalistic behavioural methods have shown benefits for the development of communication and other skills for young children with autism spectrum disorder. The publicly funded autism EI program in Nova Scotia (NS) is based on such a method, Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), and pre-post studies indicate benefits for children and families. However, not all children benefit equally. In this study, the investigators test the efficacy of a brief parent-mediated intervention designed to prime responsivity to PRT in children with a minimal responder profile derived from previous studies of the PRT-based EI program.
null
Participation Requirements
-
Sex:
ALL -
Eligible Ages:
3 to 5
Participation Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. upcoming enrollment in NS EI program for preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), based on confirmed or provisional ASD diagnosis by a qualified clinician
2. significant delay in cognitive abilities (assessed formally by psychologist or estimated by psychologist or developmental pediatrician at time of diagnosis)
3. current spontaneous functional use of ≤ 10 words (clinician's observations; parent report using MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory - Words \& Gestures (CDI-WG)
4. limited use of toys / objects (clinician's impression or parent's report with no contrary observation by clinician)
5. low levels of expressed positive affect (smiles, laughter) or limited positive and high negative affect (clinician's impression or parent's report with no contrary observation by clinician)
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Severe sensory or motor impairment in child
2. Parent unable to complete consent process (and receive coaching) in English
Study Location
IWK Health Centre
IWK Health CentreHalifax, Nova Scotia
Canada
Contact Study Team
- Study Sponsored By
- IWK Health Centre
- Participants Required
- More Information
- Study ID:
NCT05511220