Will early intensive behavioral training improve executive function in young children with autism spectrum disorder?

• Register: ISRCTN
• Last refreshed on: 4 July 2023
• Main ID: ISRCTN70290917
• Date of registration: 12/01/2017
• Prospective Registration: No
• Primary sponsor: Innlandet Hopital Trust
• Public title: Will early intensive behavioral training improve executive function in young children with autism spectrum disorder?
• Scientific title: Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) in a group of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder
• Date of first enrolment: 01/01/2017
• Target sample size: 30
• Recruitment status: Completed
• URL: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN70290917
• Study type: Interventional
• Study design: Single-center non-randomised interventional study (Treatment)
• Phase: Not Applicable

Countries of recruitment

Norway

Contacts

• Name: Erik Winther Skogli

Key inclusion & exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria:
1. Children diagnosed with an autism
2. Diagnosis from age 3 - 6 years

Exclusion criteria:
1. IQ below 49
2. Subjects born prematurely (< 36 weeks)
3. Taking medication for the disorder they are referred for at the time of inclusion


Age minimum:
Age maximum:
Gender: Both

Health Condition(s) or Problem(s) studied

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Intervention(s)

Following provision of parental informed consent, all children undergo a clinical assessment featuring a structured diagnostic interview (Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised), a diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS-2), neuropsychological assessment and a medical examination.

Children receiving an ASD diagnosis will be offered an intensive behavioral intervention based upon the principles of applied behavior analysis (EIBI). This intervention method involves behavioral training from 30 to 40 hours per week, primarily in the kindergarten of these children. The kindergarten teachers will be trained and supervised closely by experienced clinicians at Division of Habilitation and Rehabilitation, Innlandet Hospital Trust. The intervention period will last from 6 to 24 months depending on the age of children at baseline. The effect of intervention will be evaluated with the BRIEF after 6 months, 12 months (at the end of intervention) and 12 months after intervention have been terminated.

Primary Outcome(s)

Executive function is measured using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - preschool Version (BRIEF-P) at baseline, after 6 months and 12 months.

Secondary Outcome(s)

1. IQ is measured using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth edition (WISC-IV) at baseline
2. Non-verbal IQ is measured using the Leiter International Performance Scale- Revised (Leiter-R) at baseline

Secondary ID(s)

51533

Source(s) of Monetary Support

Division of habilitation and rehabilitation, Innlandet Hospital Trust

Ethics review

Status:
Approval date:
Contact:

Old ethics approval format; Data Protection Official/Officer, 16/12/2016, ref: 51533

Results

• Results available: Yes
• Date Completed: 31/12/2021