Online Pivotal Response Treatment training for parents of young children with autism

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Parents complete an online Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT-O) course designed to teach PRT strategies for improving young children's communication. Children must be aged 2:0–5:11 with a confirmed or suspected autism diagnosis and measurable adaptive communication deficits. Outcomes focus on whether parents learn to deliver PRT correctly and on related child communication measures, using standardized tools such as the Vineland and diagnostic review (e.g., ADI-R). The program is run through Stanford University with English-language participation required and some coordination for assessments.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* 2:0 to 5:11 years at the time of consent,
* diagnosed with ASD (based on history, review of available medical records including diagnostic testing, e.g., Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) or suspicion of Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, and confirmed with Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R),
* with significant adaptive communication deficits (i.e., either a Vineland-3 Communication subscale 2 Standard Deviations below average for 2 and 3 year olds and 3 Standard Deviations below for 4 and 5 year olds or a Vineland-3 Expressive V-scale Score 2 Standard Deviations below average for 2 and 3 year olds, or 3 Standard Deviations below for 4 and 5 year old, and at least moderate severity on the Clinical Global Impressions Severity (CGI-S) language subscale),
* an English-speaking parent able to consistently participate in study procedures and conduct treatment in English,
* stable psychotropic medication(s) or biomedical intervention(s) for at least 1 month prior to baseline measurements with no anticipated changes during study participation,
* stable treatment (ABA, Floortime, or other interventions), speech therapy, and school placement for at least 1 month prior to baseline measurements with no expected changes during study participation,
* no more than 60 minutes of 1:1 speech therapy per week

Exclusion Criteria:

* Children who have a primary language other than English
* parent or child diagnosed with severe psychiatric disorder or unstable medical problem
* previous adequate trial of pivotal response treatment resulting in parent meeting Pivotal Response Treatment fidelity of implementation at baseline
* Receiving more than 15 hours of in home 1:1 ABA per week
* living within 100 miles of Stanford University.

Where it's running

• Stanford University
  Stanford, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Grace Gengoux, PhD — Stanford University
• Study coordinator: Jane Huang
• Email: autismdd@stanford.edu
• Phone: (650) 736-1235

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.