FCT With Young Children With ID in the UK: A Feasibility Project V.1

University of Kent

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Intellectual Disability

Treatments: Behavioral: Functional Communication Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02721394

ResGov 325

Details and patient eligibility

About

The current project aims to assess the feasibility of conducting Functional Communication Training in the UK with a small sample of young children (aged under 9) in an NHS setting. Three delivery formats will be assessed in order to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting FCT via different delivery methods within an NHS context. Participants will be four children aged under 9 who have an identified intellectual / developmental disability and display either self-injury, property destruction, or aggression at home. In addition, one family carer per child will be coached to implement the intervention, either following researcher intervention, or from the beginning. Data will be collected on challenging behaviour, communication responses, family carer confidence in managing behaviour, fidelity of intervention implementation, family quality of life, and acceptability of the intervention.

Enrollment: 8 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: Under 9 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Child aged under 9
• Child has identified intellectual disability or genetic syndrome associated with intellectual disability (e.g. Fragile X Syndrome)
• Child uses only phrase speech (i.e. 2-3 word utterances)
• Child displays self injury, aggression, property destruction at home
• Family carers aged over 18 with capacity to consent
• Family carer speaks English as first language (to ensure that the child understands English and will therefore understand researcher)

Exclusion criteria

• Child experiences health condition involving pain that is not well controlled by treatment
• Child is fully deaf / blind
• Child or family carer receiving active treatment in relation to child's behaviour (e.g. direct behavioural support, parenting programme etc.)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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8 participants in 3 patient groups

Researcher Implemented FCT

Experimental group

Description:

Children receive functional communication training. Assessment and initial intervention sessions are completed by the researcher and family carers are trained to continue the intervention at home.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Functional Communication Training

Family Carer Implemented FCT 1

Experimental group

Description:

Children receive functional communication training. Family carers are trained to implement all sessions (including assessment and initial intervention sessions) with coaching from the researcher in person.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Functional Communication Training

Family Carer Implemented FCT 2

Experimental group

Description:

Children receive functional communication training. Family carers are trained to implement all sessions (including assessment and initial intervention sessions) with coaching from the researcher via videoconferencing and support from a family carer assistant in person.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Functional Communication Training