NCT07416903

NT-Based Group Psychoeducation for Parents of Autistic Preschoolers in Türkiye

A Naturalistic Teaching-Based Group Psychoeducation Program for Parents of Autistic Preschoolers in Türkiye: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Randomized Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (actual)
• Sponsor: Kocaeli University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This pilot randomized study examines the feasibility and preliminary effects of a Naturalistic Teaching (NT)-based group psychoeducation program for parents of autistic preschool children in Türkiye. After providing consent, parents are randomized to one of three conditions: (1) a 10-week NT-based group psychoeducation program delivered weekly (90 minutes per session), (2) a single-session general parenting seminar that does not include autism-specific content (attention control), or (3) a wait-list control group that receives access to intervention materials after the post-test. The primary outcome is parental self-efficacy, assessed using parent-report questionnaires. Outcomes are measured at baseline and post-test, and a later follow-up assessment is used to evaluate whether improvements are maintained. The study also tracks feasibility indicators such as retention and session attendance.

Detailed description

The intervention is a Naturalistic Teaching (NT)-based group psychoeducation program for parents of autistic preschool children. The program includes 10 weekly sessions (90 minutes each) focused on increasing parents' confidence and skills to use everyday routines to support their child, with emphasis on routine-embedded strategies and parent empowerment. The comparator conditions include an attention control (single-session general parenting seminar) and a wait-list control. The primary outcome is parental self-efficacy; secondary outcomes include feasibility indicators (retention and attendance) and maintenance assessed at follow-up on January 13, 2025.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Parenting Self-efficacy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	NT-Based Group Psychoeducation	A Naturalistic Teaching (NT)-based group psychoeducation program delivered in 10 weekly sessions (90 minutes each) for parents of autistic preschool children, focusing on routine-embedded strategies and parent empowerment.
BEHAVIORAL	General Parenting Seminar (Attention Control)	A single-session general parenting seminar (approximately 60 minutes) focusing on general parenting topics without autism-specific content.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-12-29
• Primary completion: 2024-04-15
• Completion: 2025-01-13
• First posted: 2026-02-18
• Last updated: 2026-02-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)