Parent Training for Early Social Communication Delays Related to Autism

(SibWatch Trial)

Overseen By Lauren Hampton, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin

Disqualifiers: Receiving early intervention services

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve social communication skills in toddlers with a sibling who has autism, as these toddlers face a high risk of language and communication challenges. The study will test whether training parents to be communication teachers, through a program called "Improving Parents as Communication Teachers," can benefit these toddlers. Participants may begin with either a parent-guided intervention or monthly developmental monitoring, with adjustments based on progress. Families with a toddler who has an older sibling with autism and no current early intervention services might be a good fit. This research could help develop better support strategies for language development in high-risk toddlers. As an unphased trial, this study offers families the chance to contribute to pioneering research that could shape future interventions for language development in high-risk toddlers.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this parent training intervention is safe for improving social communication in toddlers?

Research has shown that the "Improving Parents as Communication Teachers" program is safe for children. Studies indicate that this program helps parents enhance their child's social and communication skills without any reported negative effects. Both parents and teachers have observed significant improvements in these skills. The program uses proven methods, relying on strategies that have demonstrated effectiveness. Research reports no negative side effects, suggesting the program is well-tolerated. Participants generally find the program helpful and worthwhile. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores new ways to help children with autism improve their social communication skills. Unlike traditional therapies that often rely on direct intervention by therapists, this trial focuses on empowering parents as key communication teachers. By involving parents directly, the intervention aims to make therapy more accessible and personalized to each child's needs. Additionally, the use of video feedback as an enhancement option offers a novel way for parents to understand and improve their interactions with their children. This approach could pave the way for more effective and family-centered autism interventions.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for improving social communication in toddlers at high risk for autism?

Research shows that the "Improving Parents as Communication Teachers" program, or Project ImPACT, can help young children enhance their social communication skills. Studies have found that children make significant progress in these skills when parents apply the program's methods. For instance, one study found that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improved their social communication skills after their parents participated in the program. An online version of Project ImPACT also led to noticeable improvements in how parents reported their children's social communication abilities. These results suggest that when parents learn specific techniques, they can help their children develop important communication skills, especially those at high risk for language and communication delays. In this trial, researchers will assign participants to either a parent-mediated social communication intervention or developmental monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of these approaches. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for toddlers who have a sibling with autism and are at high risk for communication challenges. They must not have hearing or vision loss, and their caregiver should speak English well enough to engage in the study's activities. Caregivers need to use English with the toddler at least half of the day. Toddlers already receiving early intervention services cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I do not have any known hearing or vision loss.

My brother or sister has been diagnosed with autism.

Caregiver is willing to participate in study procedures

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently getting early intervention services.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Initial Intervention

Participants are randomly assigned to either a parent-mediated social communication intervention or monthly monitoring of social communication development.

3 months

Monthly visits

Adaptive Intervention

Participants with delayed social communication skills are re-randomized to continue or add video feedback. Those without delays receive reduced intervention or continued monitoring.

3 months

Monthly visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for social communication development and parent implementation of strategies.

4 months

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Improving Parents as Communication Teachers

Trial Overview

The study tests an adaptive intervention called 'Improving Parents as Communication Teachers' aimed at enhancing social communication in toddlers at high risk due to having a sibling with autism. It will assess how feasible, acceptable, and effective this parent-mediated support strategy is.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention first Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will first be randomly assigned to a parent-mediated social communication intervention. At month 3 participants' social communication will be evaluated. Participants who present with delayed social communication skills will be randomly assigned to 2 additional treatment options: continue, or add video feedback. Participants who do not present with social communication delays will reduce intervention to a weekly phone call.

Group II: Developmental monitoring first Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will first be assigned to receive monthly monitoring of social communication development. At month 3 participants' social communication will be evaluated. Participants who present with delayed social communication skills will be randomly assigned to 2 additional treatment options: continue, or add video feedback. Participants who do not present with social communication delays will continue to receive developmental monitoring.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Texas at Austin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

387

Recruited

86,100+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The study tested a new model called Partners in School, involving 26 teachers and 49 parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), aimed at improving communication about evidence-based practices.

Results showed that after participating in the program, both parents and teachers reported better communication and perceived improvements in child outcomes, suggesting that effective communication can positively impact the development of children with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Partners in School: An Innovative Parent-Teacher Consultation Model for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Azad, GF., Marcus, SC., Sheridan, SM., et al.[2021]

The 'Autism-1-2-3' intervention, tested over 2 weeks with 17 children, showed significant improvements in language, social interaction, and symbolic play for children with autism compared to a control group.

Parents reported reduced stress levels and perceived improvements in their children's communication and social skills, highlighting the intervention's potential to support families during the waiting period for public health services.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized controlled trial for early intervention for autism: a pilot study of the Autism 1-2-3 Project. Wong, VC., Kwan, QK.[2022]

The parent-assisted blended intervention, called the Growing, Learning, and Living With Autism Group, was effective in improving social communication and self-regulation knowledge in 17 first and second graders with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents, as shown by pre- and post-intervention assessments.

The positive effects of the intervention were maintained at 3 and 6 months after the program, indicating its potential long-term benefits, although the intervention did not significantly improve parent-child interactions as observed in video recordings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy Study of a Social Communication and Self-Regulation Intervention for School-Age Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nowell, SW., Watson, LR., Boyd, B., et al.[2021]

The OPT-In-Early online program significantly improved parents' ability to use effective intervention strategies with their autistic children after 4 months, demonstrating its efficacy in training caregivers.

While the program did not show immediate improvements in children's social communication skills, it suggests that longer use of the learned strategies may be necessary for noticeable benefits in children's development.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An initial trial of OPT-In-Early: An online training program for caregivers of autistic children. Dai, YG., Thomas, RP., Brennan, L., et al.[2023]

The Map4speech mobile application effectively trains parents in naturalistic language interventions for children with autism, showing over 85% procedural integrity in parents' techniques after training.

Children of parents using the app demonstrated increased spontaneous word and gesture use, indicating that mobile technology can enhance communication outcomes in young children with autism.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of behavior modeling training in a mobile app parent training program to improve functional communication of young children with autism spectrum disorder. Law, GC., Neihart, M., Dutt, A.[2019]

A study involving 467 parents showed that the ComAlong intervention, which focuses on responsive communication and AAC strategies, led to small but significant improvements in parents' perceptions of their social life after the program.

The most notable positive changes in social life were observed in parents of children with non-syndromic diagnoses and those with autism spectrum disorder or ADHD, suggesting that targeted communication training can enhance family dynamics and children's social participation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parental perceptions of social life before and after attending a parent training program for children with complex communication needs: the ComAlong example. Backman, E., Åsberg Johnels, J., Thunberg, G.[2023]

A training course for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder significantly improved parents' use of facilitative communication strategies and increased their children's vocabulary size after 7 months.

The study involved 51 children aged 24 to 48 months and demonstrated that the intervention was well-received, indicating its potential effectiveness in enhancing communication skills for both parents and children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A controlled trial of a training course for parents of children with suspected autism spectrum disorder. McConachie, H., Randle, V., Hammal, D., et al.[2022]

A study involving 27 caregivers of children with autism revealed that most parents continued to use communication strategies learned from the Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy-Generalised intervention up to 2 years after the trial ended.

Key factors influencing the use of these strategies included parental confidence and alignment of goals, while challenges such as the child's behavior acted as barriers, highlighting the need for tailored support in future interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using implementation science frameworks to explore barriers and facilitators for parents' use of therapeutic strategies following a parent-mediated autism intervention. Carruthers, S., Mleczko, N., Page, S., et al.[2023]

The intervention 'Improving Parents As Communication Teachers' was effective in enhancing the expressive language abilities of girls with a single older sibling with autism, particularly when the girls were identified as low risk for autism themselves.

The study involved 97 high-risk siblings and their parents, but it did not find significant improvements in parenting stress or effectiveness, suggesting that while the intervention benefits children's communication skills, it may not directly alleviate parental challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

For which younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder does parent-mediated intervention work? Yoder, PJ., Stone, WL., Edmunds, SR.[2022]

In a study of 40 parent couples (80 parents total) involved in speech-language therapy for children with autism, fathers were found to communicate less with therapists and participate less in assessment and planning compared to mothers.

Fathers reported lower satisfaction with parent-therapist communication and planning, highlighting the need for interventionists to engage both parents more effectively in therapy to improve outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parent couples' participation in speech-language therapy for school-age children with autism spectrum disorder in the United States. Flippin, M., Hahs-Vaughn, DL.[2020]

The study showed that behavioral skills training (BST) significantly improved the ability of four parents to teach social skills to their children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), as evidenced by direct observation of both parent and child behaviors.

Improvements in social skills were maintained one month after training, indicating that BST is an effective and sustainable method for enhancing social skills in children with ASDs through parental involvement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parent-implemented behavioral skills training of social skills. Dogan, RK., King, ML., Fischetti, AT., et al.[2018]

A 12-week individualized parent-child education program for toddlers newly diagnosed with autism showed that parents effectively learned naturalistic therapeutic techniques, enhancing their ability to engage with their children.

Children in the program exhibited sustained improvements in social communication behaviors, indicating that early intervention can positively impact developmental outcomes for young children with autism.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can one hour per week of therapy lead to lasting changes in young children with autism? Vismara, LA., Colombi, C., Rogers, SJ.[2022]

A randomized trial involving 68 preschoolers with autism showed that a multi-component communication intervention, including caregiver training and a speech-generating device, significantly improved joint attention skills immediately after the intervention.

The same intervention also led to improvements in social communication skills four months later, suggesting its potential long-term benefits for children with autism who are minimally verbal.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multi-component communication intervention for children with autism: A randomized controlled trial. Hampton, LH., Kaiser, AP., Fuller, EA.[2021]

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