title: Managing repetitive behaviours in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): pilot randomised controlled trial of a new parent group intervention.
abstract: Early intervention for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tends to focus on enhancing social-communication skills. We report the acceptability, feasibility and impact on child functioning of a new 8 weeks parent-group intervention to manage restricted and repetitive behaviours (RRB) in young children with ASD aged 3-7 years. Forty-five families took part in the pilot RCT. A range of primary and secondary outcome measures were collected on four occasions (baseline, 10, 18 and 24 weeks) to capture both independent ratings and parent-reported changes in RRB. This pilot established that parents were willing to be recruited and randomised, and the format and content of the intervention was feasible. Fidelity of delivery was high, and attendance was 90 %. A fully powered trial is now planned.
authors.affiliation: Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Walkergate Park, Benfield Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4QD, UK. victoria.grahame@ntw.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grahame
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brett
authors.affiliation: Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Walkergate Park, Benfield Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4QD, UK.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McConachie
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lowry
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Jacqui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Steen
authors.affiliation: Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Walkergate Park, Benfield Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4QD, UK.|Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Le Couteur
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior
keywords: Clinical global impression of improvement; Parent group intervention; Randomised controlled trial; Restricted and repetitive behaviour