SDLMI + UNITED Strategy for Autism

(SDLMI Trial)

Recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Connie Kasari, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Disqualifiers: No ASD diagnosis, Not under-resourced, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

358 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The AIRB research team will compare the use and effectiveness of each intervention (Mind the Gap, Remaking Recess and Self Determined Learning Model of Instruction) with and without the addition of our implementation strategy, UNITED. In all groups, the research team will train community practitioners using remote delivery of professional development modules specific to the intervention and active coaching as dictated by the intervention procedures. The research team will pair UNITED with three interventions that cover the ages of early childhood, childhood, and adolescence. These include Mind the Gap (MTG), a family navigation intervention for children newly diagnosed under age 8, Remaking Recess (RR), a school-based social/peer engagement intervention for children ages 5-12, and Self-Determination Learning Model of Instruction (SDMLI), a self-advocacy intervention for adolescents (13-22 years; 22 is the upper age limit of high school for individuals with disabilities). For the SDLMI, school personnel will be trained to work with adolescents with ASD using the SDLMI model. This model will help students with ASD set their own goals and help attain them. The total time commitment for the school personnel is 1 school year (2 semesters) for about 47 hours. The total time commitment for the parent of the student with ASD is about 1 hour (sign consent/fill out demographic survey). The total time commitment for the student with ASD is 1 school year (2 semesters) for about 25.25 hours.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) for autism?

Research shows that teaching strategies like SWAT Support, which involve prompting and praise, can increase independence in adults with autism during community activities. Additionally, distance learning programs for parents and professionals have been effective in teaching interventions that improve imitation in children with autism, suggesting that structured learning models can be beneficial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the SDLMI + UNITED Strategy treatment for autism different from other treatments?

The SDLMI + UNITED Strategy treatment is unique because it focuses on promoting self-determined learning, allowing individuals with autism to actively control their learning experience, which can enhance memory and learning outcomes. This approach is different from traditional methods that may not emphasize active participation and self-direction in learning. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for school staff and adolescents aged 13-19 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD), from under-resourced families. Eligible participants include those attending Title I schools, have a family income below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, and have an official ASD/NDD diagnosis.

Inclusion Criteria

Under-resourced, defined by: Attending a Title I school or rural school, Family income is under 250% of the federal guidelines for poverty rate, Parent/Caregiver willing to participate

I am between 13-19 years old with ASD or NDD and come from a family with limited resources.

School staff serving adolescents with ASD or NDD

Exclusion Criteria

I am between 13 and 19 years old, do not have ASD or NDD, and my family has adequate resources.

Personnel at school not working with adolescents with ASD or NDD

My parent or caregiver is not willing to participate.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training and Coaching

School personnel receive 7.5 hours of remote professional development and 12 hours of remote coaching in SDLMI.

24 weeks

Remote sessions

Implementation

SDLMI is implemented over the course of a school year with ongoing coaching and assessments.

24 weeks

3 assessment points (entry, mid-study, end of study)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for the effectiveness of the SDLMI intervention and implementation strategies.

18 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI)

Trial Overview The AIRB-4 study tests the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) for adolescents with ASD. It involves training school personnel to help students set and achieve their own goals over one school year, requiring about 47 hours from staff and around 25 hours from students.

Participant Groups

Group I: UNITED Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

UNITED is premised on the idea that successful implementation in organizations like schools and early intervention systems requires a team-based approach, in which the team is thoughtfully assembled, develops a plan for implementation, assigns roles and responsibilities, and carefully tracks and supports implementation and sustainment in all its stages within a few meetings and ongoing coaching from the research staff.

Group II: Implementation as Usual (IAU) Active Control 1 Intervention

The organizations will implement SDLMI as usual. The research team will be available to provide support on the SDLMI intervention as needed.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Lead Sponsor

Trials

88

Recruited

152,000+

University of Rochester

Collaborator

Trials

883

Recruited

555,000+

University of Washington

Collaborator

Trials

1,858

Recruited

2,023,000+

University of Kansas

Collaborator

Trials

157

Recruited

332,000+

University of Pennsylvania

Collaborator

Trials

2,118

Recruited

45,270,000+

Drexel University

Collaborator

Trials

160

Recruited

48,600+

University of California, Davis

Collaborator

Trials

958

Recruited

4,816,000+

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increasing independence of adults with autism in community activities: a brief, embedded teaching strategy. [2021]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Disseminating ASD interventions: a pilot study of a distance learning program for parents and professionals. [2022]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Evaluation of Real-Time Feedback Delivered Via Telehealth: Training Staff to Conduct Preference Assessments. [2020]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and psychometric testing of the AASPIRE Adult Autism Healthcare Provider Self-Efficacy Scale. [2022]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Pilot Investigation of Individual and Dyad Instructional Arrangements. [2020]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Memory enhancements from active control of learning in children with autism spectrum disorder. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Establishing Computer-Assisted Instruction to Teach Academics to Students with Autism as an Evidence-Based Practice. [2019]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Incorporating additional targets into learning trials for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. [2015]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Direct Instruction for Individuals With Autism Utilizing Speech-Generating Devices. [2021]