| Title: |
Understanding Repetitive Behaviours: A Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness, Multi-Site Randomised Controlled Trial of a Group for Parents and Carers of Young Autistic Children |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Victoria Grahame (ORCID 0000-0003-4541-7574); Ashleigh Kernohan; Ehsan Kharati; Ayesha Mathias; Chrissie Butcher; Linda Dixon (ORCID 0000-0001-9376-8331); Sue Fletcher-Watson (ORCID 0000-0003-2688-1734); Deborah Garland; Magdalena Glod; Jane Goodwin (ORCID 0000-0002-5633-9148); Saoirse Heron; Emma Honey; Ann Le Couteur; Leila Mackie; Jessica Maxwell (ORCID 0000-0002-4163-4240); Lewis Montgomery; Emmanuel Ogundimu; Helen Probert (ORCID 0009-0001-7364-024X); Deborah Riby (ORCID 0000-0001-5747-8441); Priyanka Rob; Leanne Rogan; Laura Tavernor (ORCID 0000-0002-1397-5128); Luke Vale; Elspeth Imogen Webb; Christopher Weetman; Jacqui Rodgers |
| Source: |
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2025 29(8):1998-2015. |
| Availability: |
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
18 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Adult Education |
| Descriptors: |
Repetition; Behavior Patterns; Cost Effectiveness; Randomized Controlled Trials; Parents; Child Caregivers; Young Children; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Child Behavior; Parent Education; Psychoeducational Methods; Best Practices; Foreign Countries; Outcome Measures; Intervention |
| Geographic Terms: |
United Kingdom (England); United Kingdom (Scotland) |
| DOI: |
10.1177/13623613251333175 |
| ISSN: |
1362-3613; 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: |
Restricted and repetitive behaviours vary greatly between autistic people. Some are a source of pleasure or create opportunities for learning; others may be detrimental in day-to-day life or cause harm. We have developed, in close collaboration with parents/carers, the Understanding Repetitive Behaviours programme, designed for families of young autistic children, to help them recognise, understand and respond sensitively to their child's impactful restricted and repetitive behaviours. This study is a clinical and cost-effectiveness, multi-site randomised controlled trial of the Understanding Repetitive Behaviours parent programme versus a psychoeducation programme (equivalent to current best practice), learning about autism. Participants were parents/carers, with an autistic child aged between 3-9 years and 11 months. The study was delivered across three sites in England and Scotland. Analyses were completed using intention-to-treat principles. Two hundred and twenty seven families were randomised (113 in LAA; 114 in Understanding Repetitive Behaviours arm). No differences were found between the arms on the primary outcome measure (The Clinical Global Impression -- Improvement scale). Analysis of secondary outcomes indicated that children in the Understanding Repetitive Behaviours arm were more likely to be rated as responders in target impactful restricted and repetitive behaviours at 24 weeks but that this effect was not maintained at 52 weeks. Improvements in parent and family functioning were apparent, with no evidence of differences between the arms. The study reconfirms that it is important that clinicians consider both restricted and repetitive behaviours and social communication needs of autistic children with parents when planning appropriate support. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1476925 |
| Database: |
ERIC |