Tests two parenting programs for parents of children with autism
Compares a structured parenting program with standard parent workshops for autism.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Enabling Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders - a Randomized Controlled Trial of Parenting Programs
Key facts
- Where
- Bergen, Haugesund, and Trondheim, NorwaySee the 3 sites
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 2 and 6 years old?
Source: NCT05750095, who can take part
Where in Norway
- Haukeland University HospitalBergen, NorwayTaking people
- Helse FonnaHaugesund, NorwayTaking people
- St Olavs HospitalTrondheim, NorwayTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Haukeland University Hospital
- Trial code
- NCT05750095
- Record updated
- 18 March 2026
- Original description
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are disabling and impairing conditions affecting 1% of children in Norway. ASD is hallmarked by severe social deficit and lack of independence causing reliance on supportive systems throughout life. Parents are usually the primary caretakers and support, often throughout life. Normal parenting skills are however often ineffective due to the social dysfunction of the child with ASD. This causes high stress as the demands exceed the resources and capability of the parent. The high stress is associated to increased risk for mental health problems, divorce, unemployment and reduced quality of life. High parent stress may also reduce the effect of interventions in ASD. However, although the need is great and parental follow-up is an integral part of health care for ASD children, there is a lack of evidence for such interventions.Read full original descriptionShow less
Enabling Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders - a Randomized Controlled Trial of Parenting Programs
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are disabling and impairing conditions affecting 1% of children in Norway. ASD is hallmarked by severe social deficit and lack of independence causing reliance on supportive systems throughout life. Parents are usually the primary caretakers and support, often throughout life. Normal parenting skills are however often ineffective due to the social dysfunction of the child with ASD. This causes high stress as the demands exceed the resources and capability of the parent. The high stress is associated to increased risk for mental health problems, divorce, unemployment and reduced quality of life. High parent stress may also reduce the effect of interventions in ASD. However, although the need is great and parental follow-up is an integral part of health care for ASD children, there is a lack of evidence for such interventions.
The current project aims to evaluate a specific parent program that is in clinical use - the Incredible Years for children with ASD - compared with a standardised treatment as usual (TAU) composed of clinical parent workshops ("first aid for parents").
The aim is to evaluate parenting interventions and promote evidence-based practice in a clinical setting. The investigators will perform a randomized controlled trial and qualitative interviews to compare the effectiveness of treatment as usual (TAU) versus a manualized parent program (IY-ASLD). The study aims to investigate if the parental program may reduce parent stress and improve parental competence and self-efficacy. Secondary goals are to investigate whether the parent program may improve quality of life for the parent and the child and have an impact on long-term child functioning and service use.
Inclusion: Parent of child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, age 2-6.
Exclusion: Ongoing major crisis in the family or major disabling condition in the participating parent; Level of Norwegian insufficient to benefit from a parental program without the use of an interpreter; Ongoing participation in another manualized (any) parent program.