Parent Video Feedback Intervention Study

The purpose of this study is to use a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of parent coaching sessions using video-based feedback, compared to the sessions without the use of video-based feedback on parent strategy use.

This study is a randomized controlled trial of video-based feedback interventions for the parents of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the beginning of the study, each participant will be randomized to the video-based feedback condition (treatment condition) or standard care procedure (control condition). All participants will be asked to implement the strategies taught during the sessions in the home environment (e.g., following the child's lead, sitting face-to-face). Participants randomized into the video-based feedback condition (treatment condition) will be asked to video-tape their interactions with their children (maximum 30 mins/week at home during free play, book reading, bath or meal time routines). The therapist then will review the tapes and then use the recorded sessions to give feedback on the parents' use of strategies in addition to providing in-vivo feedback based on the live interactions during the sessions. For parents whose children are randomized into the standard care condition, the families will receive coaching based on in-vivo sessions as described above. For all participants, a battery of assessment (diagnostic, developmental testing), will be administered at the beginning of the study participation, in the mid-point at 3 months, at the end of their 6-month participation of treatment sessions, and then at the follow-up period, 6 months after the end of their participation of the treatment sessions.

This group will receive treatment as usual. Each participant will receive three hours of in-vivo parent coaching per week for 6 months.

This group will receive an additional component which will involve videotaping parent/child interactions at home for thirty minutes a week. Each week, the therapist will select sections of the video to review with the parent during one of the parent coaching sessions.

This group will receive three hours of parent coaching per week, one hour per week will involve feedback on parent usage of coached strategies based on parent recorded interactions with their children.

This is a brief, play-based assessment that aims to measure short-term changes in social communication. Scores range from 0 to 60 with higher scores indicating more ASD symptoms.

This is a semi-structured play-based interaction that assesses for symptoms associated with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Total calibrated severity score ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating more ASD symptoms.

Self-report rating inventory that measures characteristic attitudes and symptoms of depression. Scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating higher degrees of depression.

Self-report inventory used to assess anxiety levels in adults and adolescents. Scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating higher degrees of anxiety.

Evaluate the magnitude of stress in the parent. Percentile scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater parenting stress.

Standardized rating scale designed to specifically measure the range of behavioral manifestations of executive function in preschool-aged children

This is a rating scale that is currently under development. It will be used to rate the parents' utilization of the strategies they are being taught throughout the intervention.Scores range from 19 to 100. Higher scores indicate effective and appropriate use of strategies taught in NDBI.

This is a structured cognitive assessment which measures a child's abilities in visual reception, fine motor, expressive language, and receptive language. It will be used to assess cognitive functioning. Early Learning Composite Score ranges from 49 to 155, with higher scores indicating higher developmental and cognitive functioning.

This is a structured interview that a trained assessor administers to a parent in order to assess adaptive functioning across a variety of domains including communication, play and leisure, and social domains. Adaptive Behavior Composite Score ranges from 20 to 140, with higher scores indicating higher adaptive functioning.

Inclusion Criteria: All children who will be enrolled into the early intervention (EI) classroom at the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain (CADB) will be invited to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: We do not have any exclusionary criteria as long as the children meet the inclusion criteria (families with children with ASD between 1-4 years who will be enrolling in the CADB early intervention classroom).

Klein CB, Swain DM, Vibert B, Clark-Whitney E, Lemelman AR, Giordano JA, Winter J, Kim SH. Implementation of Video Feedback Within a Community Based Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention Program for Toddlers With ASD: Pilot Study. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Dec 2;12:763367. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.763367. eCollection 2021.