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

An Empowering Parent Training Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Preschool Aged Children With Autism: A Randomized Control Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if WE PLAY for Parents can improve caregivers' knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and skills promoting physical activity with their young child with autism. The main questions it aims to answer are: (1) Do participants who complete WE PLAY for Parents improve their knowledge, behavior intentions, perceived behavior control, self-efficacy, and parenting practices related to physical activity promotion with their child (Primary Hypotheses); and (2) Do participants view WE PLAY for Parents as acceptable, understandable, and feasible [secondary hypothesis)?

Researchers will compare the WE PLAY for Parents group [experimental arm] to a Waitlist Control group to see if there are differences in the variables listed in the primary hypothesis.

Participants will: (1) Complete a set of questionnaires at three timepoints: pre-training, post-training, and 3-month follow-up that each take between 10-15 minutes; (2) be randomly assigned to take the training over the next two weeks or be offered the training after 3 months.

The online training takes about 90 minutes. It includes watching informational videos, viewing video clips of adults helping children be active, reading handouts on behavior management tips and social stories, participating in an anonymous discussion board with other parents, and completing a self-assessment.

After completing a study interest form to determine eligibility and providing informed consent, participants will be randomized to the WE PLAY for Parents or a Waitlist Control group. At week 0, all participants will complete the pre-test survey and WE PLAY for Parents group participants will receive access to the WE PLAY for Parents intervention. At week 2, participants in both groups will complete a post-training survey. At week 14, participants in both groups will complete a three-month follow-up survey. At week 14, after completing the third survey, participants in the Waitlist Control group will receive access to WE PLAY for Parents.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Parents or caregivers (who are at least 18 years of age) of children with a diagnosis of autism.
• The autism diagnosis for the child can be from a school or medical setting.
• The parent or caregiver's child with autism must be between 2 years 11 months and 5 years, 11 months of age.
• Parent or caregivers must be able to read and write in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

• 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.