Moving Together: Understanding Parent Perceptions Related to Physical Activity and Motor Skill Development in Preschool Children.
Becky Agard, Nan Zeng, Morgan L McCloskey...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34501785Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID07421830
An Empowering Parent Training Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Preschool Aged Children With Autism: A Randomized Control Trial
Led by Northeastern University · Updated on 2026-04-08
114
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
N
Northeastern University
Lead Sponsor
S
Society for Pediatric Psychology
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
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 program's 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.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
An Empowering Parent Training Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Preschool Aged Children With Autism
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Parents or caregivers who are at least 18 years old
- Parent or caregiver's child has a diagnosis of autism from a school or medical setting
- Child with autism is between 2 years 11 months and 5 years 11 months old
- Parent or caregivers can read and write in English
You will not qualify if you...
- Parents or caregivers who do not have a child with autism
- Adults who do not have children
- Parents or caregivers who cannot read and write in English
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 screening and enrollment visit (in-person or virtual)
Outpatient Treatment
Duration - 2 weeks
Participants in the WE PLAY for Parents group complete an online parent training intervention designed to increase physical activity in preschool-aged children with autism. Participants in the waitlist control group do not receive the intervention during this period.
1 baseline survey and 1 post-training survey (online)
Follow-up
Duration - 12 weeks after treatment
Participants complete a three-month follow-up survey to assess parental confidence and promotion practices of physical activity for their children. After this, waitlist control group participants receive access to the WE PLAY for Parents intervention.
1 follow-up survey (online)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
H
Haley V Medeiros, M.S./CAGs
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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J A Hnatiuk, H E Brown, K L Downing...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30257277Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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