None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study is a randomised trial in Malaysia involving caregivers of preschool children (30–72 months) diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. We are comparing two parent training approaches: (1) a one-day, in-person parent training workshop delivered by a multidisciplinary clinical team, and (2) the World Health Organization (WHO) Caregiver Skills Training (CST) online self-directed eLearning course. Caregivers are randomly allocated to one of four groups: workshop only, eLearning only, both workshop plus eLearning, or a waitlist (usual care). We will assess whether these programmes improve parents’ sense of parenting competence and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and whether they improve children’s behaviour and social communication traits over six months. We hypothesise that caregivers receiving both interventions will show the greatest improvements.
Interventions
This study evaluates the effectiveness of two parent-mediated interventions (PMI).
The first PMI is a one day, in-person parent training workshop (PW) delivered in a lecture hall. Lectures are delivered by a multidisciplinary team consisting of developmental pediatricians, speech therapists, clinical psychologists and occupational therapists on autism-related topics over an 8-hour period. Lectures include general knowledge on Autism, screen time, Hanen approach, Picture Exchange Communication
This study evaluates the effectiveness of two parent-mediated interventions (PMI). The first PMI is a one day, in-person parent training workshop (PW) delivered in a lecture hall. Lectures are delivered by a multidisciplinary team consisting of developmental pediatricians, speech therapists, clinical psychologists and occupational therapists on autism-related topics over an 8-hour period. Lectures include general knowledge on Autism, screen time, Hanen approach, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), behavioural management, managing sensory issues and recommendations on available local facilities. Participants will attend this workshop only once during the study period. The second PMI is the e-Learning module (EL) of the World Health Organization Caregiver Skills Training Programme for Families of Children with Developmental Delays and Disabilities (CST). Lessons are divided into several core modules which include engagement, play and home routines, communication, behaviour management, adaptive behaviour, caregiver self-care and ongoing practice. On 2nd April 2022, the WHO launched the online version of the CST Programme which includes pre-recorded information sessions, allowing caregivers to learn at their own pace, and fit the course into their own schedules in a way that suits them. The programme is currently accessible for free at WHO Academy. It is designed to be completed in around 2.5 months and involves about 8 hours of total lesson time. Participants will be asked to complete the EL at their own pace and show the Record of Achievement (issued to participants who have correctly answered at least 80% of post-test questions) to the investigators during follow up. Participants will be randomised to 3 intervention arms and 1 control arm. Arm 1: Parent workshop only Arm 2: eLearning module of CST only Arm 3: combination of both parent workshop and EL-CST. Adherence is defined as Arm 1: Attended the parent workshop Arm 2: Obtaining the Record of Achievement by the fullow up period Arm 3: Attended the parent workshop AND obtained the Record of Achievement
Sponsors
Ker Yung Chua, Sarawak General Hospital
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Factorial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
30 Months to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Parents and caregivers of children who fulfil the below criteria 1) Children between 30 months to 72 months old 2) Diagnosed to have ASD using the DSM–5 criteria. 3) Agreed to join the study
Exclusion criteria
1) Parents who do not understand English 2) If they do not have a reliable internet connection 3) If they have already undergone the Parent workshop 4) If they have already undergone the WHO CST eLearning course 5) If the child has hearing and vision impairments 6) If the child has a history of neurological or genetic disorders 7) Inability or unwillingness to provide written consent.
Outcome results
None listed