Caregiver Skills Training for Parenting Challenges

(CST Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Charmaine Stillano

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Disqualifiers: Non-English speakers

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 22

22 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Caregiver Skills Training (CST) is an evidence-based intervention for parents of young children with developmental disabilities that was developed through a collaboration between Autism Speaks and the World Health Organization. The intervention is typically offered by Facilitators who are trained and supervised by CST Master Trainers. This study seeks to use a remote training model to compare two training and supervision processes. One group, comprised of facilitators from rural settings, will be trained and supervised by two master trainers from the University of Pittsburgh using a remote training model. A second group, comprised of facilitators from an agency serving primarily low-income households and located near Pittsburgh, will be trained and supervised in a face-to-face manner. Both groups will initially receive ten 90-minute training sessions over a 2-month period and will subsequently receive 1 hour per week of supervision while conducting their first 12-session CST group. Outcome measures will include assessment of change in caregiver stress and didactic skills as well as improvement in each child's communication/social skills, functional skills, and overall behavior. Also added was an additional research question in which face-to-face CST sessions with remote CST sessions were compared.

Research Team

Benjamin Handen, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Pittsburgh

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for parents of children aged 2-9 with developmental disabilities and/or autism, who can attend 12 sessions at one of the three UPMC sites. Participants must understand English as translation services are not available.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to be served by one of the three UPMC sites

I can attend 12 sessions, both at the clinic and virtually.

I am a parent of a child aged 2-9 with autism or a developmental disability.

Exclusion Criteria

My parents do not speak or understand English, and this study does not offer translation.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Facilitators receive 15 hours of training over 2-3 months to learn the CST model and gain proficiency in administration

8-12 weeks

10 sessions (90 minutes each)

Supervision

Facilitators receive 1 hour of supervision per week while conducting their first 12-session CST group

12 weeks

12 visits (1 hour each, either in-person or remote)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in caregiver stress and child communication/social skills

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Caregiver Skills Training (CST)

Trial Overview The study compares two methods of training caregivers using Caregiver Skills Training (CST). One group in rural areas will be trained remotely by University of Pittsburgh trainers, while another near Pittsburgh receives face-to-face training.

Participant Groups

Group I: Remote staff training Active Control 1 Intervention

Staff will receive 15 hours of remote training followed by 12 weeks of remote supervision (one hour per week).

Group II: Face to face staff training Active Control 1 Intervention

Staff will receive 15 hours of face to face training followed by 12 weeks of face to face supervision (one hour per week).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pittsburgh

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,820

Recruited

16,360,000+

Autism Speaks

Collaborator

Trials

36

Recruited

3,800+