Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Use of a Video Scoring Anchor for Rapid Serial Assessment of Social Communication in Toddlers
Published on: March 14, 2018
A new social communication intervention for children with autism: pilot randomised controlled treatment study
Catherine Aldred1, Jonathan Green, Catherine Adams
1Human Communication and Deafness Group, University of Manchester, UK.
Insights
A new social communication intervention for autism improved reciprocal social interaction and language skills in children. This pilot study shows feasibility and effectiveness of targeted parental communication training compared to routine care.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Pediatric Psychiatry
Background:
- Psychosocial interventions are primary autism management in the UK.
- Limited systematic evidence exists for psychosocial treatment effectiveness in autism.
- Developmental heterogeneity necessitates rigorous randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test a novel, theory-based social communication intervention targeting parental communication.
- To compare the intervention's effectiveness against routine care alone in a randomized design.
- To assess the feasibility and acceptability of RCTs for autism interventions.
Main Methods:
- A 6-month intervention with monthly therapist contact, followed by 6 months of consolidation sessions.
- Parents were educated and trained in adapted communication strategies tailored to child competencies.
- Twenty-eight children with autism were randomized to the intervention or routine care, with outcomes assessed at 12 months.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed significant improvements in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) total score, especially in reciprocal social interaction.
- Secondary outcome measures indicated significant gains in expressive language, communicative initiation, and parent-child interaction.
- Non-significant trends were observed for adaptive behavior and stereotyped behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Randomized controlled trials for classical autism are feasible and well-accepted by participants.
- This pilot study suggests significant benefits of targeted dyadic social communication treatment over routine care.
- Further large-scale, independent replication is recommended to confirm findings and encourage more RCT designs.
Background:
Psychosocial treatments are the mainstay of management of autism in the UK but there is a notable lack of a systematic evidence base for their effectiveness. Randomised controlled trial (RCT) studies in this area have been rare but are essential because of the developmental heterogeneity of the disorder. We aimed to test a new theoretically based social communication intervention targeting parental communication in a randomised design against routine care alone.
Methods:
The intervention was given in addition to existing care and involved regular monthly therapist contact for 6 months with a further 6 months of 2-monthly consolidation sessions. It aimed to educate parents and train them in adapted communication tailored to their child's individual competencies. Twenty-eight children with autism were randomised between this treatment and routine care alone, stratified for age and baseline severity. Outcome was measured at 12 months from commencement of intervention, using standardised instruments.
Results:
All cases studied met full Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) criteria for classical autism. Treatment and controls had similar routine care during the study period and there were no study dropouts after treatment had started. The active treatment group showed significant improvement compared with controls on the primary outcome measure--Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) total score, particularly in reciprocal social interaction--and on secondary measures of expressive language, communicative initiation and parent-child interaction. Suggestive but non-significant results were found in Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (Communication Sub-domain) and ADOS stereotyped and restricted behaviour domain.
Conclusions:
A Randomised Treatment Trial design of this kind in classical autism is feasible and acceptable to patients. This pilot study suggests significant additional treatment benefits following a targeted (but relatively non-intensive) dyadic social communication treatment, when compared with routine care. The study needs replication on larger and independent samples. It should encourage further RCT designs in this area.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:26Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
01:24Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...