Clinical trial NCT02153203: Using the Prevent-Teach-Reinforce Model to Reduce Problem Behaviors in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Official title: Using the Prevent-Teach-Reinforce Model to Reduce Problem Behaviors in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder
Problem behavior
Lead sponsor: Université de Montréal
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2014-06-02
Enrollment: 42
Sex: ALL
Maximum age (years): 12
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Children with autism spectrum disorders often engage in problem behaviors such as self-injury, destruction, aggression, and stereotypy. Prior research has clearly shown that these problem behaviors may interfere with learning, daily functioning, and social participation. As such, engaging in problem behaviors has a negative impact on the health and quality of life of children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. One promising solution to reduce problem behaviors in this population is the Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) model, which relies on the evidence-based practices of positive behavior support. Although the use of PTR has been gaining considerably support in schools, the model has never been evaluated as part of a rigorous large-scale study using parents as interventionists. Thus, the purpose of the project is to conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of a home-based version of the PTR model in reducing problem behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders and in improving families' quality of life. Our hypotheses are that implementing the PTR will (a) produce larger reductions in problem behaviors than participating in an individual parent training session, (b) increase engagement in prosocial behaviors, (c) decrease parental stress, and (c) improve the quality of life of the family. The results of the study will allow an examination of whether PTR is an effective and acceptable model to reduce problem behaviors at home in this population. Given that problem behaviors incur high societal costs when they persist into adolescence and adulthood, the study may potentially lead to large cost reductions in the treatment of difficulties associated with autism spectrum disorders. By reducing engagement in problem behaviors, the implementation of the model may also promote and facilitate the social participation as well as improve the quality of life and health of children with autism spectrum disorders and their families.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
* Must exhibit problem behavior

Exclusion Criteria:

* Already receiving services to reduce problem behaviors at home

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change from baseline in parental report of problem behavior at 8 weeks
timeFrame: Prior to the start of the intervention and 8 weeks later
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Change from baseline in quality of life at 8 weeks
timeFrame: Prior to the start of the intervention and 8 weeks later
measure: Change from baseline in parental report of stress at 20 weeks
timeFrame: Prior to the start of the intervention and 20 weeks later
measure: Change from baseline in parental report of stress at 8 weeks
timeFrame: Prior to the start of the intervention and 8 weeks later
measure: Change from baseline in quality of life at 20 weeks
timeFrame: Prior to the start of the intervention and 20 weeks later
measure: Social validity of the intervention
timeFrame: After 8 weeks of intervention
measure: Change from baseline in parental report of problem behavior at 20 weeks
timeFrame: Prior to the start of the intervention and 20 weeks later
measure: Change from baseline in parental report of positive social behavior at 20 weeks
timeFrame: Prior to the start of the intervention and 20 weeks later
measure: Change from baseline in parental report of positive social behavior at 8 weeks
timeFrame: Prior to the start of the intervention and 8 weeks later
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Lachine
country: Canada
facility: West Montreal Readaptation Centre
state: Quebec
city: Montreal
country: Canada
facility: Gold Centre
state: Quebec
city: Montréal
country: Canada
facility: CRDITED de Montréal
state: Quebec
Study officials:
affiliation: Université de Montréal
name: Marc Lanovaz
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: