Family Check-Up for Autism
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to improve the well-being of children and teens with autism spectrum disorder by involving their parents in the Family Check-Up program, a family-focused intervention. The program helps parents identify their family's strengths and challenges, set goals, and connect with helpful resources. Participants will either receive the Family Check-Up or continue with their usual treatment, with the option to try the program afterward. Families with children aged 6-17 who have autism, emotional and behavior issues, and live in Ontario may find this trial beneficial. As an unphased trial, the study offers families a unique opportunity to enhance their support network and improve their child's well-being.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on family support and parenting strategies rather than medication changes.
What prior data suggests that the Family Check-Up program is safe for families?
Research has shown that the Family Check-Up program is safe and easy for families to join. Studies have found that this program can improve parenting skills and family management. No reports indicate negative effects from participation. The Family Check-Up supports parents and builds on family strengths without using medications or medical procedures, making it a low-risk choice for families seeking to enhance their children's well-being.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Family Check-Up for Autism because it offers a personalized approach to enhancing family dynamics and parenting skills. Unlike typical treatments that mainly focus on the child, this method involves a comprehensive assessment of the family's environment and creates a tailored plan to boost positive parenting and family management. By engaging families directly and connecting them to specific services and support, the Family Check-Up aims to address the ecological factors affecting a child's behavior, which could lead to more effective and lasting improvements.
What evidence suggests that the Family Check-Up is effective for improving child well-being in autism?
Research has shown that the Family Check-Up program, which participants in this trial may receive, can assist with emotional and behavioral issues in children, including those with autism. One study found that more children showed improvement in behaviors like defiance and inattention after participating in the Family Check-Up. The program also helps parents enhance their skills and gain confidence in caring for their children. Parents reported better parenting practices and felt more capable of managing their child's needs. These improvements suggest the program could benefit families facing autism-related challenges.12678
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for children aged 6-17 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who show high levels of emotional and behavioral problems. They must be enrolled in the Ontario Autism Program, live with a caregiver consistently, and have a developmental age of at least 2 years. Parents need to speak English well enough for assessments but can't join if they're in another study or have done the Family Check-Up before.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Family Check-Up Intervention
Families receive the Family Check-Up intervention, which includes assessing ecological risk and protective factors, engaging parents in a tailored plan, and connecting families to services.
Treatment as Usual
Families receive standard autism program services, including consultations, workshops, and support groups.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in parenting skills, child behavior, and parental mental health.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Family Check-Up
Trial Overview
The trial is testing the 'Family Check-Up' program within an autism service setting. This program focuses on enhancing child well-being by empowering parents through identifying family strengths, goal-setting, positive parenting techniques, and connecting them to additional resources.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Families randomized to the Family Check-Up arm will be connected with a clinician who will provide the Family Check-Up. The Family Check-Up® (FCU) is an ecologically sensitive, evidence-based intervention that was developed to decrease childhood EBP by 1) assessing known ecological (child, family and contextual) risk and protective factors; 2) engaging parents in a tailored plan to enhance positive parenting and family management skills; and 3) connecting families to a tailored suite of child and family services and supports. Services may include an evidence-based suite of parenting sessions ("Everyday Parenting Curriculum \[EPC\]") created by FCU developers for direct tailoring to the FCU feedback session.
Treatment as Usual participants will be connected to a Family Service Coordinator within the Autism Program, who can direct the family to appropriate services and resources. Services may include consultation on child behaviours, workshops on various topics, parenting programs, Applied Behaviour Analysis, support groups, and group recreational programs. Families in the treatment as usual arm will be offered the Family Check-Up upon completion of the study.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
McMaster University
Lead Sponsor
Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation
Collaborator
Citations
The Family-Check-Up® Autism Implementation Research ...
A study evaluating the effectiveness and implementation of a family-centered intervention within a Canadian autism service setting.
Family Check-Up Online effects on parenting and ...
The current study demonstrates the effectiveness of the FCU-O intervention for improving parent-reported parenting skills, parenting self-efficacy, and ...
Effectiveness of Screening in Early Intervention Settings to ...
In this difference-in-difference analysis, ASD screening in EI was associated with a 60% increase in ASD diagnoses compared with standard care.
The Family-Check-Up® Autism Implementation Research ...
Primary and secondary outcomes include child EBP, and caregiver well-being and parenting. (2) A mixed methods implementation study, to describe facilitators and ...
Randomized effectiveness Trial of the Family Check-Up ...
A significantly larger proportion of children in the FCU recovered at post-treatment with regard to opposition defiant behavior, inattention, ...
6.
publications.aap.org
publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/155/4/e2024067947/201180/Family-Navigation-Programs-for-Children-WithFamily Navigation Programs for Children With Autism ...
This scoping review aimed to map the current evidence to describe the characteristics and synthesize the effectiveness of FN programs for children with ASD.
The Family-Check-Up® Autism Implementation Research ...
Studies have demonstrated long-term positive child and caregiver outcomes in other populations, but the FCU® has not been evaluated in families ...
The effects of early autism intervention on parents and family ...
Results revealed medium to large effects on parenting stress, depression and anxiety; however, authors note homogeneity of samples, overall ...
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