Initial evaluation of an environment-based intervention for participation of autistic children: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of environment-based intervention on participation outcomes and parent efficacy in autistic children.

Materials and methods: Twenty-one autistic children 6-10 years old and their parents were randomized to environment-based intervention (n = 11) or usual care (n = 10). The environment-based intervention targets individualized participation goals in leisure and community activities through changing environment and activity demands. The study outcomes were Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Goal attainment scaling (GAS), and Parent Empowerment and Efficacy Measure (PEEM). Assessments included baseline, 12 weeks (post-test), and 24 weeks (follow-up). Mixed ANOVAs were used to examine within-group and between-group effects in outcome variables.

Results: The COPM performance and satisfaction scores and GAS T-scores increased after environment-based intervention from baseline to 12 weeks and 24 weeks (p < 0.001) but did not significantly differ from usual care. The medium to large effect sizes of COPM performance and GAS T-scores favored the environment-based intervention. For the PEEM scores, no significant differences were found.

Conclusions: Environment-based intervention may support school-age autistic children to participate in self-chosen activities over time. The intervention effects on participation goals and parent efficacy, however, were inconclusive and need further research.

Keywords: Autism; environment; goal setting; leisure; participation.