Parent-Mediated Telehealth Intervention for Insomnia in Young Autistic Children
Emory University
Summary
This study will evaluate the efficacy of a structured parent-mediated behavioral intervention called Sleep Parent Treatment (SPT) for insomnia in autistic children ages 3 to 7 years 11 months, compared to another behavioral intervention called Sleep Parent Education (SPE). Eligible children will be randomly assigned to either the SPT or SPE intervention for 10 weeks.
Description
In the general pediatric population, insomnia affects an estimated 20-25% of children, however, insomnia affects as many as 40-80% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Insomnia is characterized by problems of initiating sleep and/or maintaining sleep occurring three or more nights per week for more than three months accompanied by distress, impairment or both. The diagnostic criteria stipulate that the sleep problem is not attributable to another cause (e.g., restless legs syndrome, caffeine intake). In autistic children, insomnia may interfere with concentration and learning, may…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 3–7 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age \>3 to 7 years 11 months * Clinical diagnosis of ASD supported by the Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R) * Score of \>30 on the Parent-Rated Insomnia Scale - ASD (PAIRS) and the Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) score of Moderate or greater (\>4 score) * Medication and supplement free or on stable medication or supplements (no changes in the past 6 weeks and no planned changes for 10 weeks of the randomized trial) * Parental proficiency in spoken and written English language. Study materials and many of the study measures are only available in Engl…
Interventions
- BehavioralSleep Parent Training (SPT)
Five SPT sessions, each 60-90 minutes in duration, are individually delivered over 10 weeks. Each session employs direct instruction, modeling, and role-playing to promote parental skill acquisition. The SPT manual includes a therapist script and parent activity sheets for each session. Video vignettes for each session model specific techniques, including correct application of a technique and ineffective strategies. To supplement the 5 sessions, three virtual parent-child coaching sessions occur to ensure implementation fidelity. A sleep plan for the child is developed with the parent and is revised, as needed, at each session.
- BehavioralSleep Parent Education (SPE)
SPE includes five 60-90 minute sessions, delivered individually over 10 weeks. SPE provides useful information to families of young children with ASD and insomnia. The sessions cover a review of autism, sleep hygiene, interpretation of clinical evaluations, child advocacy and evaluation of available treatments, and information on evidence-based treatments.
Locations (3)
- Emory School Of MedicineAtlanta, Georgia
- Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, Ohio
- Ohio State UniversityColumbus, Ohio