Neuro-Diversity Approach
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Viability of A Proposed Psycho-educational Neuro-Diversity Approach in Children Services
IRAS ID
287858
Contact name
Zach Dunn
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
SOLENT NHS TRUST
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Not applicable, Not applicable
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Do children with neurodevelopmental differences benefit from individualised support?
Neurodevelopmental difficulties include Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; an individual approach is where treatments are adapted to suit individual needs.
Nearly all children with neurodevelopmental differences will experience some difficulty with needs due to stereotyping of symptoms and long waiting lists. Children, their carers and educational professionals have suggested that an individualised approach would be better for wellbeing and symptom management.
This is a pilot study on the use of a training and treatment manual.
The investigator has produced a detailed manual which uses a child development profile to create an individualised treatment plan. The manual is designed to accompany training in this approach for educational professionals.
Over 100 educational professionals from the local area have expressed an interest in this approach and will be recruited to take part in the training.
Trained educational professionals will identify children who they believe might benefit from this approach. These children and their carers will be linked with the research team who will gain consent.
Participants will go through the same treatment. Initially there will be a meeting with the carer, the child and educational professional to profile the child's development. This profile will inform an individualised support plan based on the manual. The support will last for three months and includes behavioural and environmental adjustments. The NHS already provides these adjustments, and this approach is to be implemented before referral to CAMHS.
Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires before, during and after treatment. These questionnaires will look for any significant effects of the treatment on every participant's perception of the child's wellbeing and symptom management. 30 participants will then be invited to focus groups, 10 for interviews. The facilitator will ask specifically about their satisfaction, thoughts and opinions of the approach.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
21/WS/0012
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion