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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02803801

Build Your Parenting Toolkit: Guiding Children to Become Flexible Thinkers

This pilot project is a cooperative effort between the Leisure in Fun Environments (LIFE) Program and the Specialized Communication Resources for Children (SCRC) Program at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCC). The investigators will blend and enhance two pre-existing programs in order to provide a new, specialized program for parents of children with ASD or developmental delay. The two programs that will be blended together are "Promoting Flexible Thinking and Interaction with Your Child at Home" and "Saturday Cooking Club." This new program will be a series of ten workshops that alternates between "parents only" learning sessions and practical "cooking club" sessions that allow parents to focus on practicing what they are learning with their child. These programs are based on the principles of Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®), which focuses on providing opportunities to establish a guided participation relationship, which will lead to development of dynamic intelligence and important social thinking abilities. The program is individualized to each child and builds on the principles of typical development to assist the child in achieving social competence. Using this program, children are expected to develop sociability in a naturally progressing order of complexity.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Developmental Disabilities Developmental Disorder Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Rehabilitation Centre for Children

Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 3G1, Canada

About this study

Parenting children with developmental disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be challenging. Often, these children process information in an atypical manner and they may struggle to learn through social engagement. At times, regular parenting techniques do not work with these children, which may leave parents feeling distressed and confused. In their ground breaking interpretation of the International Classification of Functioning, Health and Disability (ICF), The 'F-words' in childhood disability, (2011) Dr. P. Rosenbaum and Dr. J. Gorter state that, "Family represents the essential environment of all children." They point to research that confirms that parental physical and mental health is challenged in families who have a child with a disability. Specifically, behavioural issues of these children significantly contribute to parental stress scores, impact attachment, the relationship with a spouse, parental depression and in particular, a sense of competence. By providing parents the opportunity to understand their child's unique learning style, and the opportunity to learn how to mindfully engage their child, it is the investigators' goal to restore parental competence and the natural parent/child relationship.

The objectives of this new learning series program are to help parents understand their child's unique learning style and to give parents the practical tools to become their child's best teacher and guide. Becoming a mindful parent requires a solid understanding of the child's underlying social learning challenges, and it requires parents to be both self-reflective and analytical. Behaviour change takes time and repeated experience. Parents also need the opportunity to practice in a safe and supportive environment. This learning series will consist of ten in-person sessions, over a period of 12-14 weeks.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • parents of children who have high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder or high functioning developmental delay, and are aged 7-12

Exclusion criteria

  • unable to complete the study sessions

Treatment and study plan

Build Your Parenting Toolkit Program

Behavioral

Ten session program, with a mix of parents-only lectures and parent and child Cooking Clubs.

Primary outcomes

  1. Relationship Development Assessment

    Time frame: 14 weeks

    Video recordings of the parent and child cooking, used to evaluate the parents' responsiveness, communication and ability to stage engagements with their own child

  2. Being a Parent Scale

    Time frame: 14 weeks

    This short questionnaire evaluates parent's current perceptions of a variety of common parenting situations and their emotional reactions

Secondary outcomes

  1. Cooking Club Feedback Questionnaires

    Time frame: 14 weeks

    These questionnaires will be used to evaluate whether the lecture sessions adequately prepared them for the related Cooking Club. These questionnaires will also help parents develop goals to work on at home.

  2. Exit Questionnaire

    Time frame: 14 weeks

    Satisfaction questionnaire, to help improve the program in the future.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Rehabilitation Centre for Children, Canada

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Build Your Parenting Toolkit: Guiding Children to Become Flexible Thinkers. SCRC/LIFE Program Pilot Project

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2017
First posted
Jun 17, 2016
Registry last updated
Apr 12, 2017

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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