AutInsight: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of a Consumer-Informed Parent Support Program for Parents of...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

• AutInsight is a novel parent support program for families of autistic children.
• It is informed by qualitative research with autistic adults, emphasizing consumer perspectives.
• Existing support programs may not fully integrate autistic voices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the development and pilot evaluation of the AutInsight program.
• To assess the program's feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness.
• To investigate impacts on parental sensitivity, family experience, and child behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 41 parents of young autistic children.
• Random allocation to either the AutInsight program or care-as-usual.
• Online questionnaires administered at baseline, post-program, and 3-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Parents in the AutInsight group showed greater improvements in reported parental sensitivity and overall autism family experience.
• Significant positive effects were observed in parent-reported child conduct problems and prosocial behaviors.
• No significant differences were found in observed parental sensitivity or other measured outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The AutInsight program demonstrates preliminary evidence of effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability.
• The findings support the value of integrating autistic adult perspectives into parent support.
• A larger, fully powered trial is warranted to confirm these promising results.