Training Program for Parents to Boost Physical Activity in Young Children with Autism A Randomized Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether the WE PLAY for Parents program can improve caregivers knowledge, confidence, attitudes, and skills in promoting physical activity for young children with autism. This trial compares caregivers who complete the WE PLAY for Parents training to those in a waitlist control group. The main goals are to see if the program improves parental knowledge, intentions, perceived control, self-efficacy, and parenting practices related to physical activity, as well as to assess how acceptable and feasible the program is. Participants are randomly assigned to either the WE PLAY for Parents group or a waitlist control group. Those in the WE PLAY group complete an online training over two weeks, which takes about 90 minutes and includes watching videos, reading handouts on behavior management and social stories, joining an anonymous discussion board with other parents, and completing a self-assessment. The waitlist control group receives no intervention during the data collection period but gains access to the training after completing the study. Participants complete questionnaires at three timepoints before training week 0, after training week 2, and at a three-month follow-up week 14. These surveys measure changes in parental confidence, knowledge, behavioral intentions, and physical activity promotion practices. Researchers also evaluate the programs acceptability, understanding, and feasibility after training. The study involves online questionnaires that take 10-15 minutes each, with no masking or blinding during the randomized trial period.

An Empowering Parent Training Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Preschool Aged Children With Autism