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A Randomized Controlled Trial of Functional Communication Training via Telehealth for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have problem behaviors that interfere with learning and social interaction. This randomized controlled trial compared treatment with functional communication training (FCT) to “treatment as usual” for young children with ASD (n = 38, ages 21–84 months). FCT was conducted by parents with training and real-time coaching provided by behavioral consultants using telehealth. FCT treatment via telehealth achieved a mean reduction in problem behavior of 98% compared to limited behavioral improvement in children receiving “treatment as usual” during a 12-week period. Social communication and task completion also improved. For children with ASD and moderate to severe behavior problems, parent-implemented FCT using telehealth significantly reduced problem behavior while ongoing interventions typically did not.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Grant R40 MC22644 from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration and by Grant R01 MH104363 from the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health. The authors have no other financial relationships or conflicts of interest related to this research to disclose. We are grateful for the important contributions provided by the research assistants who helped to ensure successful completion of the study. We greatly appreciate the biostatistical consultation provided by Bridget Zimmerman, who designed the randomization process and assisted with the data analysis. We owe a special debt of gratitude to the families who opened their homes and lives to us.

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SL and DW conceived and designed the study, supervised project activities, analyzed and interpreted data, and drafted the manuscript. KS and AS contributed to acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, and critically reviewing and revising the manuscript. KP contributed to completing diagnostic assessments, acquisition of data, scoring and interpretation of data, and critically reviewing and revising the manuscript. TK contributed to coordinating the project, completing diagnostic assessments, acquisition of data, and critically reviewing and revising the manuscript. JL and PR contributed to acquisition of data and reviewing and revising the manuscript. MO contributed to referral of participants to the study, analysis and interpretation of data, and reviewing and revising the manuscript. All authors read the manuscript, made recommendations for revisions, and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Scott Lindgren.

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Lindgren, S., Wacker, D., Schieltz, K. et al. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Functional Communication Training via Telehealth for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 50, 4449–4462 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04451-1

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