title: Autism Spectrum Social Stories In Schools Trial (ASSSIST): study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial analysing clinical and cost-effectiveness of Social Stories in mainstream schools.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current evidence suggests that Social Stories can be effective in tackling problem behaviours exhibited by children with autism spectrum disorder. Exploring the meaning of behaviour from a child's perspective allows stories to provide social information that is tailored to their needs. Case reports in children with autism have suggested that these stories can lead to a number of benefits including improvements in social interactions and choice making in educational settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  The feasibility of clinical and cost-effectiveness of a Social Stories toolkit will be assessed using a randomised control framework. Participants (n=50) will be randomised to either the Social Stories intervention or a comparator group where they will be read standard stories for an equivalent amount of time. Statistics will be calculated for recruitment rates, follow-up rates and attrition. Economic analysis will determine appropriate measures of generic health and resource use categories for cost-effectiveness analysis. Qualitative analysis will ascertain information on perceptions about the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  National Health Service Ethics Approval (NHS; ref 11/YH/0340) for the trial protocol has been obtained along with NHS Research and Development permission from Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. All adverse events will be closely monitored, documented and reported to the study Data Monitoring Ethics Committee. At least one article in a peer reviewed journal will be published and research findings presented at relevant conferences.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ISRCTN96286707.
authors.affiliation: Research Team, Lime Trees CAMHS, York, UK.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Research Team, Lime Trees CAMHS, York, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Collingridge Moore
authors.affiliation: York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, York, UK.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ainsworth
authors.affiliation: Research Team, Lime Trees CAMHS, York, UK.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hackney
authors.affiliation: York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, York, UK.
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adamson
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
authors.forename: Shehzad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Allgar
authors.affiliation: York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, York, UK.
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, York, UK.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dyson
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Littlewood
authors.affiliation: Research Team, Lime Trees CAMHS, York, UK.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hargate
authors.affiliation: Research Team, Lime Trees CAMHS, York, UK.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McLaren
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McMillan
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trépel
authors.affiliation: Research Team, Lime Trees CAMHS, York, UK.
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.affiliation: Research Team, Lime Trees CAMHS, York, UK.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D033262:Narration; D012107:Research Design; D012574:Schools; D012961:Sociology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: EDUCATION & TRAINING (see Medical Education & Training); HEALTH ECONOMICS; MENTAL HEALTH; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH