FCT With Young Children With ID in the UK: A Feasibility Project V.1

University of Kent8 enrolled

Overview

The current project aims to assess the feasibility of conducting Functional Communication Training in the UK with a small sample of young children (aged under 9) in an NHS setting. Three delivery formats will be assessed in order to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting FCT via different delivery methods within an NHS context. Participants will be four children aged under 9 who have an identified intellectual / developmental disability and display either self-injury, property destruction, or aggression at home. In addition, one family carer per child will be coached to implement the intervention, either following researcher intervention, or from the beginning. Data will be collected on challenging behaviour, communication responses, family carer confidence in managing behaviour, fidelity of intervention implementation, family quality of life, and acceptability of the intervention.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Intellectual Disability

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMax age: 9 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Child aged under 9 * Child has identified intellectual disability or genetic syndrome associated with intellectual disability (e.g. Fragile X Syndrome) * Child uses only phrase speech (i.e. 2-3 word utterances) * Child displays self injury, aggression, property destruction at home * Family carers aged over 18 with capacity to consent * Family carer speaks English as first language (to ensure that the child understands English and will therefore understand researcher) Exclusion Criteria: * Child experiences health condition involving pain that is not well controlled by treatment * Child is fully deaf / blind * Child or family carer receiving active treatment in relation to child's behaviour (e.g. direct behavioural support, parenting programme etc.)

Locations (2)

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom

Mencap Northern Ireland

Belfast, United Kingdom

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Observation of frequency or duration challenging behaviour

Observational measure of the frequency or duration of child target behaviours. This measure is expected to show a change over time as the intervention progresses, therefore data is collected during every session.

Time frame: During functional analysis (2 sessions), intervention (4 sessions), maintenance (3 sessions) & follow up (1 session). Across a total of approximately 6 months.

Secondary Outcomes

Observation of occurrence of communication

Observational measure of the frequency of the child's use of the alternative communication response. This measure is expected to show a change over the course of the intervention and data will therefore be collected during each session.

Time frame: During intervention (4 sessions), maintenance (3 sessions), & follow up (1 session). Across a total of approximately 5 months.

Beech Centre Family Quality of Life Scale (Park et al., 2003)

Questionnaire evaluating family quality of life. This measure is expected to show a change over time as the intervention progresses, therefore data is collected at 3 time points (pre intervention, post intervention, and at final follow up).

Time frame: At beginning of study, immediately after intervention (approximately 6-8 weeks later), and at final follow up session (approximately 6 months after beginning of the study).

Rating scale measuring intervention fidelity

Individualised rating scales assessing fidelity of researcher or family carer implementation of the intervention.

Time frame: During intervention sessions (4 sessions), maintenance sessions (3 sessions), and during follow up (1 session). Across a total of approximately 5 months.

Modified Challenging Behaviour Checklist (Harris, Humphreys, & Thomson, 1994)

Questionnaire to assess changes in non-targeted behaviours. This measure is expected to show a change over time as the intervention progresses, therefore data is collected at 3 time points (pre intervention, post intervention, and at final follow up).

Time frame: At beginning of study, immediately after intervention (approximately 6-8 weeks later), and at final follow up session (approximately 6 months after beginning of the study).

Functional Assessment Interview Communication Section (O'Neill, Albin, Storey, Horner, & Sprague, 2014)

Questionnaire used to assess changes in non-targeted areas of communication. This measure is expected to show a change over time as the intervention progresses, therefore data is collected at 3 time points (pre intervention, post intervention, and at final follow up).

Time frame: At beginning of study, immediately after intervention (approximately 6-8 weeks later), and at final follow up session (approximately 6 months after beginning of the study).

Modified Parenting Task Checklist (Sanders & Woolley, 2001; 2005)

Questionnaire to assess family carer confidence in doing a range of activities with their child. This measure is expected to show a change over time as the intervention progresses, therefore data is collected at 3 time points (pre intervention, post intervention, and at final follow up).

Time frame: At beginning of study, immediately after intervention (approximately 6-8 weeks later), and at final follow up session (approximately 6 months after beginning of the study).