Development of Parent-Reported Outcomes of Early Intervention for Children with Autism: the Well-being in Autism Index

Principal Investigators: Professor Ann Le Couteur,  Professor Helen McConachie

Project Staff: Mrs Susan Leach, Research Nurse

Funding: Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland NHS Mental Health Trust

Start and End dates: 1 September 2004 – 30 March 2006

Abstract:

The aim of the study is to develop and pilot a parent-rating scale which will capture changes in children’s attention, awareness and physical symptoms. The WIAI will be used in studies of young children with autism, such as trials of gluten- and casein-free diet. There is currently no established measure which records all of the symptoms which parents report in anecdotal and open studies.

Following focus groups with parents, and review of the literature, a 48 item scale is being piloted with 30 parents of young children. The parent completes the WIAI and three other questionnaires about bowel symptoms, behaviour, and overall impression, on three occasions in total. The aim is to establish the internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the scale, and its stability over a 5 month period.