title: A randomized controlled trial of COMPASS web-based and face-to-face teacher coaching in autism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Most children with autism rely on schools as their primary source of intervention, yet research has suggested that teachers rarely use evidence-based practices. To address the need for improved educational outcomes, a previously tested consultation intervention called the Collaborative Model for Promoting Competence and Success (COMPASS; Ruble, Dalrymple, & McGrew, 2010; Ruble, Dalrymple, & McGrew, 2012) was evaluated in a 2nd randomized controlled trial, with the addition of a web-based group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-nine teacher-child dyads were randomized into 1 of 3 groups: (1) a placebo control (PBO) group, (2) COMPASS followed by face-to-face (FF) coaching sessions, and (3) COMPASS followed by web-based (WEB) coaching sessions. Three individualized goals (social, communication, and independence skills) were selected for intervention for each child. The primary outcome of independent ratings of child goal attainment and several process measures (e.g., consultant and teacher fidelity) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using an intent-to-treat approach, findings replicated earlier results with a very large effect size (d = 1.41) for the FF group and a large effect size (d = 1.12) for the WEB group relative to the PBO group. There were no differences in overall change across goal domains between the FF and WEB groups, suggesting the efficacy of videoconferencing technology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  COMPASS is effective and results in improved educational outcomes for young children with autism. Videoconferencing technology, as a scalable tool, has promise for facilitating access to autism specialists and bridging the research-to-practice gap.
authors: Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506, USA. lisa.ruble@uky.edu
authors: Lisa A
authors: LA
authors: Ruble
authors: John H
authors: JH
authors: McGrew
authors: Michael D
authors: MD
authors: Toland
authors: Nancy J
authors: NJ
authors: Dalrymple
authors: Lee Ann
authors: LA
authors: Jung
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos