Pilot trial of a new parent group intervention to manage repetitive behaviours in young children with ASD Professor Ann Le Couteur Consultant Child & Adolescent.

Pilot trial of a new parent group intervention to Pilot trial of a new parent group intervention to manage repetitive behaviours in young children manage repetitive behaviours in young children

with ASDwith ASDProfessor Ann Le CouteurConsultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Linda Dixon Specialist Teacher & Coordinator Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS)

Dr Vicki GrahameConsultant Clinical Psychologist

Professor Helen McConachieConsultant Clinical Psychologist

Jacqui RodgersSenior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology Newcastle University

Jane GibsonService Manager Children & Young People Specialist Services

Deborah GarlandNAS Resource Centre Manager

Laura RosbyAssistant Psychologist

Jessica LowryResearch Assistant

Early Interventions Early Interventions in autism/ASDin autism/ASD

• Range of parent programmes available that address Social Interaction and Social Communication.

• No specific training programme for Repetitive Behaviours- some parent programmes consider RBs but not in depth.

Repetitive Repetitive Behaviours Behaviours

• RBs are part of normal development in young children and are considered to have important functions in learning.

• However, in ASD:– RBs can cause significant social impairment and distress for

the child and their family.– RBs can interfere with learning and decrease the likelihood

of positive interaction and acquisition of new skills. • It is important to intervene early to reduce the impact of RBs on

child and family

• Parents reported lack of information & support for on how to manage RBs

• Parents would like more individualised strategies for RBs

• New MRB parent group based interventionNew MRB parent group based intervention– Manualised intervention designed to increase parental

understanding of RBs in young children with ASD – The intervention is designed to be delivered by

professionals with experience working with young children with ASD.

– The group is developmentally appropriate, parents gain support from each other, and parents will be supported to learn strategies tailored for their child.

Development work:Development work:

Managing Repetitive Managing Repetitive Behaviours (MRB)Behaviours (MRB)

• Research funded Feb 2012- Mar 2014 (NIHR RfPB)Research funded Feb 2012- Mar 2014 (NIHR RfPB)• We plan to recruit 36 parents of young children with ASDWe plan to recruit 36 parents of young children with ASD• Immediate Groups & Delayed Groups Immediate Groups & Delayed Groups • This pilot study will help us determine the acceptability This pilot study will help us determine the acceptability

of the intervention of the intervention