Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
Conditions
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorders, Stereotypy, Repetitive behavior
Brief summary
Nearly all children with autism spectrum disorders engage in non-functional repetitive vocal and motor behaviours commonly referred to as stereotypy. These repetitive behaviours may considerably interfere with the child's daily functioning, learning, and social inclusion. As such, stereotypy generally has a negative impact on the child and family's health and quality of life. Several behavioural interventions have been developed to reduce engagement in stereotypy in children with autism spectrum disorders, but the limited number of specialists available, the long waiting lists associated with public health services in Canada, and the high costs of private services have considerably restricted accessibility. One potential solution to the limited availability and high costs of services is using a mobile application to recommend, teach, and monitor interventions designed to reduce engagement in stereotypy. To this end, the purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of the iSTIM (i.e., individualized Stereotypy Treatment Integrated Modules), a mobile application designed to assist parents in reducing stereotypy in children with autism spectrum disorders. Specifically, we will assess whether the iSTIM correctly estimates the frequency or duration of stereotypy, offers suggestions consistent with recommended clinical practices, effectively reduces engagement in stereotypy, and is socially acceptable, safe, and easy to use for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. The results of the study will allow us to determine whether the mobile application may be used to treat this core symptom in children with autism spectrum disorders, which could potentially reduce waiting times and costs of providing health services to this population. By reducing engagement in stereotypy, the iSTIM 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.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALiSTIM
Trained research assistants and parents will implement the assessments and interventions recommended by the iSTIM mobile application during sessions lasting between 10 and 60 minutes
Sponsors
Université de Montréal
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
No minimum to 12 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders * Must engage in at least one form of stereotypy
Exclusion criteria
* Stereotypy occurs less than 12 times per hour (or less than 20% of time) * The form of stereotypy is potentially dangerous for the person (e.g., head banging, self-biting) * The form of stereotypy is maintained by social consequences (e.g., attention, task avoidance)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency and duration of stereotypy | 2 to 4 times per week over 8 to 16 weeks | Direct observation of the frequency and duration of stereotypy during 10- to 60-minute sessions |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Social validity score | Immediately following the end of the intervention (i.e., after 8 to 16 weeks) | The user responds to a social validity questionnaire |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed