Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

CG170/2

Question

Is a group-based parent training intervention for parents or carers of autistic children and young people clinically and cost effective in reducing early and emerging behaviour that challenges in the short- and medium-term compared with treatment as usual?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Behaviour that challenges is common in autistic children and young people but many are referred only when the behaviour has become severely impairing, they pose a threat to themselves or others, or everyday life has broken down. By this time, behavioural interventions may be difficult or impossible and antipsychotic medication is used despite it being symptomatic in its benefits, having long-term adverse effects and behavioural problems typically recurring after use.

A group-based parent training intervention (such as educating parents to identify triggers and patterns of reinforcement) should be evaluated using an RCT. Primary outcomes should be short- and medium-term reduction in behaviour that challenges. Secondary outcomes should include parental and sibling stress, quality of life and the child or young person's adaptive function. The medium-term use of medication should also be assessed. Cost effectiveness should encompass a wide range of services, such as additional educational support and social services, and health service use by families.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: support and management

Number

CG170

Date issued

August 2013

Other details