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A new social communication intervention for children with autism: pilot randomised controlled treatment study suggesting effectiveness

Aldred, Catherine, Green, Jonathan, Adams, Catherine·2004·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
DOI 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00338.x
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Abstract

Background: Psychosocial treatments are the mainstay of management of autism in the UK but there is a notable lack of a systematic evidence base for their effectiveness. Randomised controlled trial (RCT) studies in this area have been rare but are essential because of the developmental heterogeneity of the disorder. We aimed to test a new theoretically based social communication intervention targeting parental communication in a randomised design against routine care alone. Methods: The intervention was given in addition to existing care and involved regular monthly therapist contact for 6 months with a further 6 months of 2‐monthly consolidation sessions. It aimed to educate parents and train them in adapted communication tailored to their child's individual competencies. Twenty‐eight children with autism were randomised between this treatment and routine care alone, stratified for age and baseline severity. Outcome was measured at 12 months from commencement of intervention, using standardised instruments. Results: All cases studied met full Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) criteria for classical autism. Treatment and controls had similar routine care during the study period and there were no study dropouts after treatment had started. The active treatment group showed significant improvement compared with controls on the primary outcome measure – Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) total score, particularly in reciprocal social interaction – and on secondary measures of expressive language, communicative initiation and parent–child interaction. Suggestive but non‐significant results were found in Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (Communication Sub‐domain) and ADOS stereotyped and restricted behaviour domain. Conclusions: A Randomised Treatment Trial design of this kind in classical autism is feasible and acceptable to patients. This pilot study suggests significant additional treatment benefits following a targeted (but relatively non‐intensive) dyadic social communication treatment, when compared with routine care. The study needs replication on larger and independent samples. It should encourage further RCT designs in this area.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00338.x

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  • The group differences reported from this study are larger than those produced by other comparative trials of developmental behavioral approaches, which were conducted for briefer periods of time and with fewer hours of delivery per week.

    “The group differences reported from our study are larger than those produced by other comparative trials of developmental behavioral approaches, which were conducted for briefer periods of time and with fewer hours of delivery per week.21,22”

    From Randomized, Controlled Trial of an Intervention for Toddlers With Autism: The Early Start Denver Model (2010) · cites this paper as [22]

  • A pilot randomised controlled trial of 28 children in the UK found a significant treatment effect on autism symptoms using the ADOS-G algorithm.

    “A significant treatment effect on the symptoms of autism was noted with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G11) algorithm in a randomised controlled pilot trial of 28 children in the UK, which is the basis for the current study.12”

    From Parent-mediated communication-focused treatment in children with autism (PACT): a randomised controlled trial (2010) · cites this paper as [12]

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Authors
Aldred, C., Green, J., & Adams, C.
Affiliations
University of Manchester (GB)
Corresponding author
Green, Jonathan
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2004-11
Volume
45
Issue
8
Pages
1420-1430
ISSN
  • 0021-9630 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-7610
DOI
10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00338.x
OpenAlex
W2132845340
Cited by
449
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 23
FWCI
3.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 1335 d)
Locations
  • Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, social communication intervention, parent-mediated intervention, dyadic intervention, reciprocal social interaction, expressive language, parent-child interaction, communication training, usual care, treatment effectiveness
MeSH terms
Autistic Disorder, Child, Communication, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Pilot Projects, Social Support, Treatment Outcome

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