Abstract
A randomized controlled trial established initial efficacy of a novel parent training (PT) intervention for improving oral hygiene and oral health in underserved children with ASD (Fenning et al., 2022), a population at risk for unmet dental needs. The present study describes our emic approach to PT development alongside treatment outcome data examining feasibility, acceptability, and engagement. Families with Medicaid-eligible children with ASD ages 3 to 13 years (85% male, 62% with intellectual disability) were assigned to receive PT (n = 60) or a psychoeducational toolkit (n = 59). Results indicate strong retention, fidelity, and adherence, with quantitative and qualitative metrics revealing high treatment satisfaction and utilization. Discussion focuses on implications for individualizing treatment to optimize engagement of underrepresented families.
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Notes
We use person-first language throughout this manuscript, as this was the language form preferred by the parents and individuals with ASD on our study team at the time the project was conducted.
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Funding
This study was funded by Health Resources and Services Administration (Grant No. UA3 MC11054).
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RF, EB, MN, EM, AH, RSE, and KK conceptualized and designed the study, developed data collection instruments, and provided study oversight. RF, EB, and KMB developed the treatment curriculum, and MN, CA, JS, KS, and JM supported data collection and refinement of treatment procedures. EM and JC performed quantitative analysis; RF and MN developed and implemented qualitative analysis. RF drafted the initial manuscript and all authors critically reviewed and revised the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest that would influence this research. Dr. Macklin reported serving on advisory boards for Biogen, Cerevance, and Stoparkinson Healthcare Systems, serving on data monitoring boards for Novartis and Takeda Pharmaceutical, and receipt by his institution of research funds on his behalf from Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Clene Nanomedicine, GlaxoSmithKline, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Prilenia Therapeutics, Ra Pharmaceuticals, and the National Institutes of Health.
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All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
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Informed consent was obtained from all families included in the study.
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Fenning, R.M., Butter, E.M., Norris, M. et al. Optimizing Parent Training to Improve Oral Health Behavior and Outcomes in Underserved Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 53, 3683–3699 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05660-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05660-6