Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Research indicates that children with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) can be taught to play via appropriate intervention, and that this may also improve their social communication skills. However, research in this area is currently lacking. We are interested in exploring whether the social interactions of preschool children with social communication difficulties can be enhanced by developing their play skills.
Who can participate?
Preschool children attending a Children's Centre preschool in Hampshire can attend. Children do not need to have a diagnosis of an ASC, but do need to have a funded special educational needs place at preschool relating to their social communication difficulties.
What does the study involve?
After consent is given, a researcher visits the child at their preschool setting to conduct some assessments. Children will then be randomly selected to either receive a short individual play intervention each day for two weeks at preschool, or to continue their preschool as usual for two weeks. The intervention, called Identiplay, lasts for 10 minutes each day and will be delivered by the child’s usual key worker. Identiplay teaches play and has been used with many preschool children with social communication needs across Hampshire. After these two weeks the researcher will visit the participant at preschool again and repeat the assessments. After a further six weeks this will be repeated.
What are the possible benefits and risks of taking part?
You would be helping us to understand the links between play and social communication skills in individuals with ASCs. There are no risks involved in taking part.
Where is the study run from?
University of Southampton (UK).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
From September 2011 to March 2012.
Who is funding the study?
University of Southampton (UK).
Who is the main contact?
Miss Chloe Allen
cla1g09@soton.ac.uk
Trial website
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
N/A
Study information
Scientific title
Can we enhance the social communication skills of preschool children with Autism Spectrum Conditions through play?
Acronym
Study hypothesis
Autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) include autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), and Asperger's disorder, and are characterised by deficits in social interaction, communication, and imagination.
Hypothesis:
Exposure to an intervention aiming to enhance play skills will result in a significant increase in play skills, social play development and the frequency of social communication behaviours.
Ethics approval
Department of Psychology Ethics Committee, University of Southampton, 08/08/2011, ref: 704
Study design
Multicentre randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Quality of life
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Preschool children with Autism Spectrum Conditions
Intervention
Children will be matched into pairs and then randomly allocated to either the intervention or treatment as usual condition. The play intervention will take place daily at preschool with the child and their keyworker working one to one. The intervention used is known as Identiplay.
Intervention type
Behavioural
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
1. Preschool teacher-rated SDQ
2. Symbolic Play Test
3. 10-minute video recording of child engaged in free play with peers coded using the M-COSMIC, developmental and social level of play
Secondary outcome measures
No secondary outcome measures
Overall trial start date
01/09/2011
Overall trial end date
19/03/2012
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Attending a special educational needs funded place for children with social communication needs in a children's centre
2. Aged between 2 years 9 months and 5 years
3. Written parental consent
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Child
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
20
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Speech and language delay in the absence of social communication concerns
2. Major medical conditions impacting on the effects of the intervention
Recruitment start date
01/09/2011
Recruitment end date
19/03/2012
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
University of Southampton
Southampton
SO151BJ
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
University of Southampton (UK)
Sponsor details
c/o Miss Chloe Allen
University of Southampton
University Road
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
United Kingdom
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
University of Southampton (UK)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
private sector organisation
Funding Body Subtype
academic
Location
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list