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BMC Pediatrics
Published in: BMC Pediatrics 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Study protocol

Randomised controlled trial of an iPad based early intervention for autism: TOBY playpad study protocol

Authors: Joanna Granich, Alena Dass, Margherita Busacca, Dennis Moore, Angelika Anderson, Svetha Venkatesh, Thi Duong, Pratibha Vellanki, Amanda Richdale, David Trembath, Darin Cairns, Wendy Marshall, Tania Rodwell, Madeleine Rayner, Andrew J. O. Whitehouse

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Evidence for early intensive behavioural interventions (EIBI) by therapists as an effective treatment for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is growing. High-intensity and sustained delivery of quality EIBI is expensive. The TOBY (Therapy Outcomes by You) Playpad is an App-based platform delivering EIBI to facilitate learning for young children with ASD, while enabling parents to become co-therapists. Intervention targets include increasing joint attention, imitation and communication of children with ASD. The primary aim of the study presented in this protocol is to determine the effectiveness of the TOBY App in reducing ASD symptoms when used as a complement to conventional EIBI. The secondary aim is to examine parental attributes as a result of TOBY App use.

Methods and design

Children aged less than 4;3 years diagnosed with ASD and parents will be recruited into this single-blind, randomised controlled trial using a pragmatic approach. Eligible participants will be randomised to the treatment group ‘TOBY therapy + therapy as usual’ or, the control group ‘therapy as usual’ for six months. The treatment will be provided by the TOBY App and parent where a combination of learning environments such as on-iPad child only (solo), partner (with parent) and off-iPad – Natural Environment (with parent) Tasks will be implemented. Parents in the treatment group will participate in a TOBY training workshop. Treatment fidelity will be monitored via an App-based reporting system and parent diaries. The primary outcome measure is the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist. The secondary outcome measures involve diagnostics, functional and developmental assessments, including parent questionnaires at baseline (T0), three months (T1) and six months (T2).

Discussion

This trial will determine the effectiveness of the TOBY App as a therapeutic complement to other early interventions children with ASD receive. The trial will also determine the feasibility of a parent delivered early intervention using the iPad as an educational platform, and assess the impact of the TOBY App on parents’ self-efficacy and empowerment in an effort to reduce children’s ASD symptoms. The outcomes of this trial may have EIBI services implications for newly diagnosed children with ASD and parents.

Trial registration

ACTRN12614000738​628 retrospectively registered on 1st of July, 2014. UTN: U1111-1158-6423.
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Metadata
Title
Randomised controlled trial of an iPad based early intervention for autism: TOBY playpad study protocol
Authors
Joanna Granich
Alena Dass
Margherita Busacca
Dennis Moore
Angelika Anderson
Svetha Venkatesh
Thi Duong
Pratibha Vellanki
Amanda Richdale
David Trembath
Darin Cairns
Wendy Marshall
Tania Rodwell
Madeleine Rayner
Andrew J. O. Whitehouse
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-016-0704-9

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