1. Managing Repetitive Behaviours
M R B
Pilot trial of a new parent group intervention to manage repetitive behaviours in young children with ASD
Professor Ann Le Couteur
Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Linda Dixon
Specialist Teacher & Coordinator
Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS)
Dr Vicki Grahame
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Professor Helen McConachie
Jacqui Rodgers
Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology Newcastle University
Jane Gibson
Service Manager Children & Young People Specialist Services
Deborah Garland
NAS Resource Centre Manager
Laura Rosby
Assistant Psychologist
Jessica Lowry
Research Assistant

2. Early Interventions in autism/ASD
Range of parent programmes available that address Social Interaction and Social Communication.
No specific training programme for Repetitive Behaviours- some parent programmes consider RBs but not in depth.
Social Interaction
Social
Communication
Repetitive
Behaviours
Following on from More than Words course, parents said they wanted support on repetitive behaviours. Looked at studies training offered on challenging behaviours, communication and social interaction.

3. Repetitive Behaviours
RBs are part of normal development in young children and are considered to have important functions in learning.
However, in ASD:
RBs can cause significant social impairment and distress for the child and their family.
RBs can interfere with learning and decrease the likelihood of positive interaction and acquisition of new skills.
It is important to intervene early to reduce the impact of RBs on child and family

4. Development work:
Parents reported lack of information & support for on how to manage RBs
Parents would like more individualised strategies for RBs
New MRB parent group based intervention
Manualised intervention designed to increase parental understanding of RBs in young children with ASD
The intervention is designed to be delivered by professionals with experience working with young children with ASD.
The group is developmentally appropriate, parents gain support from each other, and parents will be supported to learn strategies tailored for their child.

5. Managing Repetitive Behaviours (MRB)
Research funded Feb Mar 2014 (NIHR RfPB)
We plan to recruit 36 parents of young children with ASD
Immediate Groups & Delayed Groups
This pilot study will help us determine the acceptability of the intervention   5