Relationship Training for Children With Autism and Their Peers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will determine whether peer interaction training interventions are effective in enhancing the social relationships of children with autism.

Detailed Description
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Children with autism often have poor relationships with other children during their childhood and through their adult lives. A number of peer-related intervention models have been developed, but these models have not been thoroughly reviewed or implemented within the school setting. This study will examine the social inclusion of children with autism, following different peer-related interventions training children with autism and their peers. Children will be randomly assigned to one of four interventions that comprise all autistic children, all nonautistic children, or a mixed group of both. The first intervention focuses on improving the social skills of autistic children. The second intervention involves educating the peers of autistic children to increase their acceptance of their autistic peers. The third intervention is a combination of the first two interventions. Children assigned to the fourth intervention will receive the usual training offered in their local school districts. Training for each group will be conducted twice a week for 6 weeks. Characteristics of the autistic child will be assessed through an interview that evaluates intelligence quotient (IQ), language skills, and social interaction. Teachers will be asked to complete a questionnaire describing the autistic child and his or her interaction with peers. The autistic children will complete a friendship survey, clinical global impressions scales, and a battery of neuropsychiatric tests. All assessments will be conducted at study start and again at study completion.

Official Title
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Peer Related School Interventions in Autism

Conditions
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Autism, Autistic Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Social skills training targeting children with autism
* Behavioral: Social skills training of peers without autism
* Behavioral: Combination treatment of social skills/education about autism
* Behavioral: Usual training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria for Autistic and Nonautistic Participants: Autistic OR nonautistic peer of autistic child Full inclusion in a classroom with nonautistic children Currently in kindergarten or grades 1 through 5 Intelligence quotient higher than 70 Expectation to stay in the same school and classroom for the duration of the study Able to provide parent consent and child assent Exclusion Criteria: Mental age-equivalent less than 4 years Conditions other than autism, or sensory or motor impairments

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Years
Maximum Age: 11 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1<br>Participants with autism will receive social skills training targeting children with autism | Behavioral: Social skills training targeting children with autism<br>* Sessions will focus on improving the social skills of autistic children. Thirty-minute sessions will be held twice a week for 6 weeks.<br>|
| Experimental: 2<br>Participants without autism will receive social skills training to increase acceptance of peers with autism | Behavioral: Social skills training of peers without autism<br>* Sessions will involve educating the peers of autistic children to increase their acceptance of their autistic peers. Thirty-minute sessions will be held twice a week for 6 weeks.<br>|
| Experimental: 3<br>Participants with and without autism will receive a combination treatment of social skills/education about autism | Behavioral: Combination treatment of social skills/education about autism<br>* The combination treatment includes children with and without autism. Sessions will involve social skills training and education about autism to increase acceptance of autistic peers. Training will be conducted twice a week for 6 weeks<br>|
| Active Comparator: 4<br>Participants with and without autism will receive usual training provided by their school district | Behavioral: Usual training<br>* Participants will receive the usual training offered in their local school districts.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Social network involvement of autistic children |  | Measured before and after treatment and at 3-month follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Child, Interpersonal Relationships