The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an education and coaching program for parents of children with newly diagnosed autism that is focused on modifiable lifestyle factors and environmental modifications. A single-arm, open-label, prospective study will be conducted evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of the 12-month education and health coaching intervention for parents as an adjuvant to comprehensive clinical care for 12 newly diagnosed children with autism.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
12
Education and coaching program for parents of children with newly diagnosed autism that is focused on modifiable lifestyle factors and environmental modifications.
Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC)
The assessment consists of four subtests: Speech/Language Communication (14 items), Sociability (20 items), Sensory/Cognitive Awareness (18 items), and Health/Physical/Behavior (25 items). Each item is rated on a scale from 0 (no problem) to 3 (severe problem), with total scores ranging from 0 to 180. Lower scores indicate less autism symptom severity.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, six months, 12 months
Behavior Assessment System for Children, Third Edition (BASC-3)
Score range: 0 to 100. Interpretation: Lower scores indicate fewer problematic behaviors.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Short Sensory Profile 2
Raw scores are converted to percentiles. Lower scores indicate fewer sensory behaviors.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ)
Score range 45-135. Lower scores indicate less sleep disturbance.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Goodenough Assessment of Child Drawing
Scores range from 40 to 160. Higher scores indicate greater developmental level.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2)
Calibrated severity scores range from 1-10. Lower scores indicate lower autism symptom severity.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and 12 months
Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA-24)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
No single summed score, as food intake is assessed without maximums or minimums. Lower intake of ultraprocessed foods is the desired outcome.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.