SDLMI + UNITED Strategy for Autism

(SDLMI Trial)

Not currently 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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to assess the effectiveness of a self-advocacy program called the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Researchers will determine if adding a strategy called UNITED helps school staff better implement the SDLMI program. The trial seeks adolescents aged 13-19 with an official ASD diagnosis, attending under-resourced schools (such as Title I schools), and whose families have limited financial means. Participants and their parents will engage with the program over a school year, assisting students in setting and achieving personal goals.

As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the opportunity to contribute to innovative educational strategies that could enhance learning experiences for adolescents with ASD.

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 prior data suggests that these interventions are safe for children and adolescents with autism?

Research shows that the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI), combined with the UNITED strategy, is generally well-received by students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Studies on SDLMI have found that it helps adolescents with ASD improve in setting goals and advocating for themselves. These studies have not reported any major negative effects, indicating that the program is safe to use in schools.

The UNITED strategy involves a team-based approach, providing better support and guidance without involving any physical or medical treatments. Therefore, no known safety issues exist with using it in educational settings. Overall, focusing on educational and behavioral methods makes the SDLMI with UNITED a safe option for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the SDLMI + UNITED strategy for autism because it offers a unique, team-based implementation approach. Unlike traditional autism interventions that might rely heavily on individual practitioners, the UNITED strategy assembles a team that collaboratively develops and executes a plan, ensuring all stages of implementation are supported and sustained. This method not only promotes consistency in how interventions are applied across different settings like schools and early intervention systems, but also ensures that ongoing coaching is available to optimize outcomes. By focusing on a structured, team-oriented approach, this strategy may enhance the effectiveness and reach of autism interventions, potentially leading to better support for individuals with autism.

What evidence suggests that this trial's interventions could be effective for autism?

Research has shown that the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) helps students with autism set and achieve their own goals. A study that analyzed various research pieces found that SDLMI enabled students with disabilities to reach their self-set goals, improving their ability to achieve personal objectives. In this trial, one group will implement SDLMI with the UNITED strategy, which provides team-based support to help schools use SDLMI more effectively and sustain its implementation over time. Another group will implement SDLMI as usual, with support available from the research team as needed. Overall, SDLMI has shown promise in helping students with autism become more independent and successful in both school and life. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Citations

1. ies.ed.gov ies.ed.gov/use-work/awards/combining-self-determined-learning-model-instruction-and-peer-supports-examining-impact-academic

Combining the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction ... The purpose of this project is to examine the initial efficacy of a comprehensive intervention combining two research-based interventions.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04972851

AIRB-4: Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction ... The AIRB research team will compare the use and effectiveness of each intervention (Mind the Gap, Remaking Recess and Self Determined Learning Model of ...

3. scholarscompass.vcu.edu scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6943&context=etd

determined learning model of instruction on goal attainment ... Social validity data were collected through student self-monitoring using goal attainment scaling and parent perspectives to inform support intensity results.

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/273440467_The_Effect_of_Instruction_with_the_Self-Determined_Learning_Model_of_Instruction_on_Students_with_Disabilities_A_Meta-Analysis

(PDF) The Effect of Instruction with the Self-Determined ... This article reports the results of a meta-analysis of the efficacy of applying the SDLMI as an intervention to enhance access to the general ...

5. dol.gov dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ODEP/pdf/Compliant-REYAAS-Effectiveness-Lit-Review_508c.pdf

Evidence on the Effectiveness of Programs, Models, and ... 2018) examined the effects of the Self-Determined Learning Model of. Instruction (SDLMI) paired with a self-determination curriculum called Whose Future Is It?

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7781162/

Student, Educator, and Parent Perspectives of Self- ... The current study examined self-determination from multiple perspectives in a large, diverse sample of high school students with ASD.

7. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/373933661_An_Analysis_of_the_Self-Determined_Learning_Model_of_Instruction_Coaching_Model_Principles_in_High_School_Classrooms

(PDF) An Analysis of the Self-Determined Learning Model ... This qualitative study analyzed the content of coaching conversations between coaches and general and special education high school teachers implementing the ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9287703/

Using Novel Implementation Tools for Evidence-based ... The goal of this protocol paper is to describe the randomized field trial of an implementation strategy for use across autism EBIs, diverse settings and ...