title: A pilot randomised control trial of a parent training intervention for pre-school children with autism. Preliminary findings and methodological challenges.
abstract: Few attempts have been made to conduct randomised control trials (RCTs) of interventions for pre-school children with autism. We report findings of a pilot RCT for a parent training intervention with a focus on the development of joint attention skills and joint action routines. Twenty-four children meeting ICD-10 criteria for childhood autism (mean age = 23 months) were identified using the CHAT screen and randomised to the parent training group or to local services only. A follow-up was conducted 12 months later (mean age = 35 months). There was some evidence that the parent training group made more progress in language development than the local services group. However, the present pilot study was compromised by several factors: a reliance on parental report to measure language, non-matching of the groups on initial IQ, and a lack of systematic checking regarding the implementation of the parent training intervention. Furthermore, three parents in the local services group commenced intensive, home-based behavioural intervention during the course of the study. The difficulties encountered in the conduct of RCTs for pre-school children with autism are discussed. Methodological challenges and strategies for future well-designed RCTs for autism interventions are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Autism Research Centre, Departments of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Auriol
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drew
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baron-Cohen
authors.forename: Antony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Vicky
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Slonims
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wheelwright
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swettenham
authors.forename: Bryony
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Charman
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012919:Social Behavior