ASD Parent Trainer: Online Coaching for Parents of Children With Autism (APT)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02469870 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : June 12, 2015
Results First Posted : February 5, 2020
Last Update Posted : February 5, 2020
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Autism Disorder | Behavioral: Autism Parent Trainer (APT) Behavioral: Teaching Routines (Control) | Not Applicable |

Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 156 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Supportive Care |
Study Start Date : | August 2016 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | October 2017 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | October 30, 2017 |
Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: Autism Parent Trainer (APT)
Practiced Routines was a facilitated program. It was organized into four modules that included a total of seven videos ranging from 3-13 minutes each. The topics overlapped with those in the TR program, but included more explicit information on function-based strategies, as well as mindfulness practice. Participants were assigned six fillable forms, and provided supplemental data collection tools. Additional resources focused on mindfulness and PBS within family routines. Eighteen brief guided audio meditations were available to participants via the Practiced MindTM mobile application. The meditations focused on bringing the parents' awareness to both internal and external experiences and helping them act intentionally.
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Behavioral: Autism Parent Trainer (APT)
Experimental condition |
Active Comparator: Teaching Routines (Control
Teaching Routines was entirely self-directed. The program included eight modules with videos for each ranging 3 - 5 minutes in duration. The topics were antecedent-behavior-consequence method, creating task analyses, antecedent-based strategies, communication, reinforcement, teaching methods, and overcoming obstacles. Participants were assigned six activities using fillable forms and provided additional resources including examples, a glossary of terms, and a list of websites. No feedback was given to the parents apart from the automated completion responses. The participants were given access to the TR LMS for the duration of the study, but post and follow-up assessments were completed at 6 and 10 weeks (i.e., same as the PR condition).
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Behavioral: Teaching Routines (Control)
Content comparison group. |
- Child Behavior Measured by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman, 1997) [ Time Frame: Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks) ]Examining change over time points (T2-T1) This 25-item parent-report version of a behavioral screening questionnaire has been used with children aged 3 to 16 years of age. It assesses both positive and negative behaviors in the following domains: conduct problems, inattention-hyperactivity, emotional symptoms, peer problems, and pro-social behavior. The SDQ-P has demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties and is available in Spanish (Goodman, 2001).Total range of scores is from 0 to 50. The prosocial items are reverse scored for the total scale so that on the total scale higher scores indicate worse behaviors.
- Family Quality of Life as Measured by Family Quality of Life Survey (Summers et al., 2005) [ Time Frame: Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks) ]Examining change over time points (T2-T1) Quality of Life was measured using the Family Quality of Life survey (FQOL; Summers et al., 2005), which is a 25-item measure of the quality of life for a family raising a child with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The outcomes measured are: quality of life in the domains of parenting, emotional well-being, physical/material well-being, and disability-related supports using a 5-point scale with responses ranging from (1) very dissatisfied to (5) very satisfied. The average score on the total scale was used in the analysis. The range is from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating more positive outcomes.
- Parenting Scale (Arnold, O'Leary, Wolff, & Aker, 1993) [ Time Frame: Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks), ]Examining change over time points (T2-T1) Parenting Practices will be assessed using the Parenting Scale (PS; Arnold, O'Leary, Wolff, & Aker, 1993) a 30-item, 7 point Likert-like scale with three subscales (laxness, over-reactivity, and hostility). The scale has internal consistency for the total scale and subscales (α = .78 and - .83 respectively) and has been evaluated for factor structure and validity (Rhoades & O'Leary, 2007). The average score on the total scale was used in the analysis with a range of 1 to 7 with lower scores indicating more positive outcomes.
- Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised (SIB-R; Bruininks, Woodcock, Weatherman, & Hill, 1996) [ Time Frame: Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks) ]
Examining change over time points (T2-T1)
The SBI-R is a 40-item, 7-point scale that measures 14 areas of adaptive behaviors and 8 areas of maladaptive behaviors.
We used the total adaptive scale with a total range of 0 to 120 with higher scores indicating better outcomes.
- Knowledge About Applied Behavior Analysis and Acceptance Commitment Training Measured by Questionnaire [ Time Frame: Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks) ]Examining change over time points (T2-T1) 20 multiple choice knowledge items were developed during the project and were used to determine the extent to which participants understood basic program content, e.g., techniques parents can use to help their child master self-care routines. These included questions about the principles of behavior support (gathering information, evaluating possible reinforcers, etc.), definitions of behavioral concepts (tantrums, reinforcement, antecedent), and application of these concepts. The total score ranged from 0 to 20 with higher scores indicating better outcomes.
- Consumer Satisfaction Questionnaire [ Time Frame: Follow up (6 weeks) ]A 16-item scale was developed to evaluate parents' views of the feasibility, usability, and personal relevance of the program. It asked about the information taught in the program, the trainers, the website, and the other materials. The average score on these 19 items was evaluated and ranged from 1 to 6 with higher scores indicating more positive outcomes.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Parents of children aged 3-8 who have autism
Exclusion Criteria:
- none

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT02469870
United States, Oregon | |
IRIS Educational Media | |
Eugene, Oregon, United States, 97401 |
Principal Investigator: | Nell Caraway, BA | IRIS Educational Media | |
Principal Investigator: | Meme Hieneman, Ph.D., BCBA | IRIS Educational Media |
Documents provided by IRIS Media Inc:
Responsible Party: | IRIS Media Inc |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT02469870 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
2R44MH102845-02 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) |
First Posted: | June 12, 2015 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | February 5, 2020 |
Last Update Posted: | February 5, 2020 |
Last Verified: | January 2020 |
Parents of children who have autism video-conferencing Applied Behavior Analysis |
Acceptance Commitment Training optimism training Positive Behavior Support |
Autistic Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Neurodevelopmental Disorders Mental Disorders |