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Managing Repetitive Behaviours in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial of a New Parent Group Intervention

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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.

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Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to the many parents of children with ASD in the North East of England who have supported the development of the MRB© group-based intervention and taken part in this pilot RCT. Without their generosity this project would not have been possible. We would also like to thank the course trainers Jan Raine, Linda Barker, Joyce Frater, Adele Fearon, and Carol Richardson. We thank Kathryn Burn, Deborah Garland, Fiona Gaultier, Anna Hodgson, Emma Honey, Kelly McGurk, Rachel Proud, Laura Rosby, Dr. Ellie Smith and Laura Surley for their contributions to the research. Finally we acknowledge the expertise of Sue Leach (previously employed by the UK Mental Health Research Network), members of the MRB Steering group (Simon Douglas, Dr. Mark Baggot) and the clinicians who helped recruit and support families with ASD during this research. This paper describes independent research commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under the Research for Patient Benefit programme (PB-PG-1010-23305). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Walkergate Park, Benfield Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4QD, UK

    Victoria Grahame, Linda Dixon & Ann Le Couteur

  2. Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Denise Brett, Helen McConachie, Jessica Lowry, Nick Steen & Ann Le Couteur

  3. Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Jacqui Rodgers

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  1. Victoria Grahame
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Correspondence to Victoria Grahame.

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Grahame, V., Brett, D., Dixon, L. et al. Managing Repetitive Behaviours in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial of a New Parent Group Intervention. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 3168–3182 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2474-x

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