Attention Autism for Primary School Children with Autism
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Measuring the effectiveness of Attention Autism programme on social communication in primary school children with autism
IRAS ID
256835
Contact name
Fiona McCaffrey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Middletown Centre for Autism
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability characterised by a spectrum of difficulties with socialisation, communication and adaptive behaviour (WHO, 2018) which impacts upon educational attainment.
During the ages of 6-8 years, evidence suggests that this is an important period for the development of response inhibition, sustained attention and arousal (Lewis et al 2017). Teaching attention skills to children with autism should positively impact social and learning skills (White et al., 2011).
Within a group setting, the Attention Autism Programme (AAP) by Gina Davies (speech and language therapist) uses novel stimuli to build the attention, listening and social engagement skills for children with autism. Despite little scientific evidence, Middletown Centre for Autism (MCA) have employed the AAP within schools with children with autism. Trained staff (in AAP) report improvements in attention, communication and friendships skills and confidence. This pilot study aims to formally investigate the effectiveness of the AAP.
Schools requesting Attention Autism training through MCA will be sent information and consent forms about the study (Appendices 3, 4, 5). It is anticipated six schools will consent to participate providing a maximum of 48 children with autism aged 6 - 8 years for the study. A control group of 32 children with autism from mainstream schools will not be included in the AAP (but will be offered the AAP after study completion).
All participants will complete pre and post tests (Joint Attention Task with researchers Appendix7; Social Responsiveness Scale with Teachers Appendix8). Follow-up interviews with teachers will also determine any impact of the AAP.
Accredited MCA trainers will deliver the AAP once per week over a total of 6 weeks in the children’s school. Each session delivered in a classroom will take a maximum of 1 hour including approximately 8 children. The AAP is designed to be fun and does not include harmful activities.REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
19/NI/0002
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion