Authors: Oosterling I, Visser J, Swinkels S, Rommelse N, Donders R, Woudenberg T, Roos S, van der Gaag RJ, Buitelaar J
Title: Randomized Controlled Trial of the Focus Parent Training for Toddlers with Autism: 1-Year Outcome
Source: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2010 40(12): 1447-1458
Year: 2010
Research Design: Non Randomised Controlled Trial
Rating Score: 06/10
This rating is confirmed
Eligibility specified - Y
Random allocation - N
Concealed allocation - N
Baseline comparability - Y
Blind subjects - N
Blind therapists - N
Blind assessors - Y
Adequate follow-up - Y
Intention-to-treat analysis - Y
Between-group comparisons - Y
Point estimates and variability - Y
Abstract:

This randomized controlled trial compared results obtained after 12 months of nonintensive parent training plus care-as-usual and care-as-usual alone. The training focused on stimulating joint attention and language skills and was based on the intervention described by Drew et al. (Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatr 11:266-272, 2002). Seventy-five toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (65 autism, 10 PDD-NOS, mean age = 34.4 months, SD = 6.2) were enrolled. Analyses were conducted on a final sample of 67 children (lost to follow-up = 8). No significant intervention effects were found for any of the primary (language), secondary (global clinical improvement), or mediating (child engagement, early precursors of social communication, or parental skills) outcome variables, suggesting that the "Focus parent training" was not of additional value to the more general care-as-usual.©Springer
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