Pre-school Autism Communication Trial

This study tests a treatment that aims to enhance parent-child communication in autism and the social and language development of the child.

PACT is a major collaboration involving The University of Manchester, University of Newcastle, Institute of Child Health, London, Guys Hospital, London, Institute of Psychiatry, Stockport Primary Care Trust, Lewisham Primary Care Trust, Southwark Primary Care Trust and North Tyneside Primary Care Trust. The trial office is based at University Place, the University of Manchester.

Autism is a severe and chronic childhood disability affecting families from early childhood through adult life. Although there have been many claims of effective treatment for autism, there has been very little systematic research evidence to support effective treatments.

The study will randomly allocate 144 children between the ages of 2 and 5 years, in 3 sites across the UK (Manchester, Newcastle, London) to one of two groups. One receiving routine clinical care and the second group also receiving routine clinical care, but with the addition of the trial communication intervention.

What are the aims of the PACT study?

The main aim of the PACT study is to evaluate whether the PACT treatment is effective in improving autism-specific symptoms. Secondary aims include ascertaining whether any improvement is due to specific aspects of parent-child communication targeted by the treatment, whether general language development is accelerated and whether children show improved adaptation in other settings, such as at school or nursery.

What is the PACT treatment?

The PACT treatment targets the core impairments in autism: social interaction, language and communication. The approach aims to help parents adapt their communication style to their child’s impairments and respond to their child with enhanced sensitivity and responsiveness. There is a focus on increasing shared attention through eye-gaze, sharing, showing and giving. Parents are encouraged to use language that is tailored to their child’s level of understanding. Parents are also introduced to strategies that facilitate child communication and participation, such as action routines, repeated verbal scripts and the use of elaborations, pauses, and teasing.

Is it effective?

In the past there have been some promising small studies of particular interventions to help the development of communication and social understanding. In this study, we are testing whether a specific approach to helping parent-child communication in autism will be more effective than regular treatments currently in use.

NOTE: This study is no longer accepting any further referrals. Please contact your paediatrician for further advice (updated February 2008).