Ask to take part

Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.

Contact Information:

Dr START Study Team
+44 (0)73108 76421
start@psy.ox.ac.uk


Dr Alex Hendry
+44 (0)1865271444
alexandra.hendry@psy.ox.ac.uk


Dr Alexandra Hendry
+44 (0)1865271444
alexandra.hendry@psy.ox.ac.uk


More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.

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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Supporting Toddlers with a family connection to autism or ADHD to develop strong Attention, Regulation and Thinking skills (START) programme
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Supporting Toddlers with a family connection to autism or ADHD to develop strong Attention, Regulation and Thinking skills (START) programme

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Child

Oxford

Medical Conditions

Development of executive functions in toddlers with a family connection to autism or ADHD

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

13 Feb 2023 31 Oct 2024

Taking part in the feasibility trial involves:
1. Completing questionnaires about the parent and child. Participants can choose to complete these online, on paper versions that are posted out, or over the phone, and will receive a £10 online shopping voucher as a thank you after each set is completed (£30 in total).
2. Two face-to-face visits, in which researchers will play with the child to collect information about strengths and difficulties. These visits can take place in the home, or at the Oxford BabyLab. The child will be provided with a small gift as a thank you and travel costs will be reimbursed.
3. Possibly taking part in a 12-week programme, which aims to help toddlers to develop strong attention, regulation and thinking skills. Half of the families taking part in the study will be offered the programme, and the other half will not (but can continue to access other services as usual). The programme will be assigned at random. The programme involves 12 parent-and-toddler sessions, one each week. Each session lasts an hour. The sessions are held in a local venue and travel expenses will be reimbursed.


Adults with a child aged under 20 months who is either suspected to be autistic or who has a close biologically-related family member (e.g. their mum, dad, brother or sister) who is autistic or who has ADHD (either diagnosed or suspected)

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Significant uncorrected visual or hearing problems2. A known genetic condition associated with developmental delay (e.g. fragile X syndrome, Down’s syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, tuberous sclerosis complex); note that an existing diagnosis of autism is not an exclusion criterion for the study3. Currently placed in a 24-hour residential placement or a foster placement due to end before the 36-month follow-up data collection point4. Any parent in their family has already participated in the START trial5. They or any parent in their family has participated in a research trial involving a parenting intervention or other EF-related intervention (i.e. via an Early Childhood Education and Care setting) within 3 months of the baseline assessment, or during the course of the START trial


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • University of Oxford
    Dept of Experimental Psychology Woodstock Road
    Oxford
    OX2 6GG

The child may enjoy the stimulating and fun games of the assessment visits. If allocated to the START programme, the child may enjoy the experience of a different play setting and may benefit from the games and techniques introduced in the sessions. After some of the sessions, toddlers will be given some toys to take home. If allocated to the START programme, the parent may benefit from the friendship and support of other parents in the group who will have similar-aged children and may find the discussions and activities useful in supporting the child’s development. There are no major risks associated with taking part in the study. All the procedures in the assessment visits are non-invasive (only measurement of the child’s behaviour) and the tasks are designed to be enjoyable. The parent may enjoy gaining a new perspective on the child’s development, and ideas for games to play at home from the assessment visits. The researchers will not be making clinical diagnoses, but the child’s scores can be made available after the visit to discuss with another health care or education specialist.

Dr Alex Hendry
+44 (0)1865271444
alexandra.hendry@psy.ox.ac.uk


Dr START Study Team
+44 (0)73108 76421
start@psy.ox.ac.uk


Dr Alexandra Hendry
+44 (0)1865271444
alexandra.hendry@psy.ox.ac.uk



More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.


The study is sponsored by University of Oxford and funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN99820028

Or CPMS 51616

Last updated 28 March 2024

This page is to help you find out about a research study and if you may be able to take part

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