None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
There is now a substantial evidence base for a range of treatment strategies that target the core features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Educational and behavioural interventions in particular have been the focus of several well-designed studies that have reported benefits of intense and sustained therapy. However, the effectiveness of these interventions depends on significant therapy time with trained clinicians, and come at considerable financial cost. Thus, a significant proportion of families are unable to access these therapies. Any activities that can improve the time- and cost-effectiveness of early intervention, and are proven to enhance the longer-term outcomes among individuals with ASD, will provide enormous benefit to the community. TOBY (Therapy Outcomes By You) Playpad, an iPad App developed by a team of computer scientists, psychologists and speech pathologists, is one such tool that may enable a more cost-effective way to provide therapy to children with ASD. The TOBY curriculum covers social skills, language, sensory discrimination, and cognitive skills, using Applied behavioural analysis (ABA) principles. While TOBY was not designed to replace one-on-one therapy with clinicians, it may provide an affordable (RRP: $27.99AUD) and easily accessible intervention method to complement existing therapy. Anecdotal reports suggest that TOBY may be an effective intervention method for children with ASD, and also a means of positively empowering parents by giving them greater control over their child’s therapy. However TOBY is yet to be subjected to a randomized controlled trial. 1.To determine the effectiveness of the TOBY Playpad app as a complement to early behavioural intervention using a multi-site single-blind, randomized controlled design. 2.To examine whether the use of TOBY influences parental empowerment in relation to therapy. Further information on TOBY Playpad, can be found at: http://tobyplaypad.com/
Interventions
Intervention is primarily delivered by parents using an iPad based application for at least 20-30 minutes per day over 6 months. The intervention follows a early learning curriculum based on evidence-based practices about childhood development. The curriculum covers learning areas such as imitation skills; sensory discrimination; early joint attention skills; early receptive and expressive language skills. The curriculum is delivered in two ways 1) On-iPad activities are designed for children to
Intervention is primarily delivered by parents using an iPad based application for at least 20-30 minutes per day over 6 months. The intervention follows a early learning curriculum based on evidence-based practices about childhood development. The curriculum covers learning areas such as imitation skills; sensory discrimination; early joint attention skills; early receptive and expressive language skills. The curriculum is delivered in two ways 1) On-iPad activities are designed for children to complete, 2) Off-iPad activities are designed for parents to implement as part of Natural Environment Tasks during routine adaptive routines and play times with their child affected by autism. This intervention can be used as a complement to any other community therapy a child might be receiving. Intervention adherence is monitored using an objective - electronic report upload system through the App and parent-report diaries of TOBY and other community therapy frequency and duration.
Sponsors
Telethon Kids Institute
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
0 to 51 Months
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Males or females with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autistic Disorder, PDD-NOS or Asperger’s Disorder) based on DSM-IV-TR guidelines, and confirmed with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS): 1) Within the past 12 months of initial diagnosis 2) 4 years of age or younger
Exclusion criteria
Diagnosis of Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder or a neurodevelopmental disorder of known aetiology (e.g., Fragile X) 1) Significant sensory or motor impairment 2) Major physical problems 3) Unstable seizure disorder 4) Use of psychoactive medication 5) History of head injury and/or neurologic disease 6) Alcohol or drug exposure in utero
Outcome results
None listed