I-SOCIALISE study
Investigating Social Competence and Isolation in children with Autism taking part in LEGO-based therapy clubs In School Environments (I-SOCIALISE).
Study overview
It is estimated that approximately 1.6% of people in the UK have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which causes difficulties with social interaction, communication, behaviour, and interests.
Such difficulties often cause problems in day to day life and often result in the child feeling socially isolated.
The most common approach for this is social skills training but while these children may learn to demonstrate appropriate social skills within the setting of the intervention, applying these new skills to their everyday life is often unsuccessful.
LEGO-based therapy
LEGO®-based therapy is a new approach to social skills training that is specifically designed to make social interactions interesting for children with ASD so that they will not only learn the relevant skills but adopt them in their daily lives.
The main aim of this research is to examine whether LEGO®-based therapy groups in schools have any impact on the social and emotional competence and perceived social isolation of children with ASD.
The research also aims to look at any changes in the mental and more general health of the child resulting from LEGO®-based therapy.
The trial is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and has already recruited 260 children with ASD to the project, meeting it's recruitment target in April 2019. Across the study, 103 schools in York, Leeds, Sheffield and surrounding areas were involved, with 98 randomised to one of the two study arms. 50 schools were allocated to the intervention arm, and delivered LEGO®-based therapy groups to participating children.
The LEGO®-based therapy groups were delivered weekly for 12 weeks, by an assigned teaching assistant within the child’s school who had received training in delivering the programme.
We completed data collection in June 2020. Analyses and the results write up is to be completed over 6 months, with the aim to publish the research in early 2021.
Contact us
If you would like further information regarding the I-SOCIALISE trial, please contact the research team on research.comic@nhs.net or the study manager, Ellen Kingsley on the contact details below:
- Ellen Kingsley, Trial Manager, COMIC.
E. e.kingsley@nhs.net T: 01904 294824.
For more information please visit the Comic Website.
Study staff
| Name | Study Role | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. Barry Wright | Chief Investigator | University of York |
| Ellen Kingsley | Trial Manager | Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust |
| Prof.Cindy Cooper | CTRU Director |
Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) The University of Sheffield |
| Katie Biggs | Co-applicant |
Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) The University of Sheffield |
| Danielle Varley | Co-applicant | Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust |
| Dr David Marshall | Consultant | University of York |
| Prof. Ann Le Couteur | Consultant | Newcastle University |
| Prof. Simon Gilbody | Consultant | University of York |
| Ms Anne McKelvey | Consultant | York City Council |
| Dr Georgina Gomez de la Cuesta | Consultant | Bricks for Autism |
| Steve Parrot | Health Economist | University of York |
| Han-I Wang | Health Economist | University of York |
| Dr Marion Dawn Teare | Statistician | Newcastle University |
| Matthew Bursnall | Statistician |
Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) The University of Sheffield |
| Kiera Solaiman | Research Assistant |
Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) The University of Sheffield |
| Dr Lizzie Coates | Qualitative Researcher |
Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) The University of Sheffield |
| Tim Chater | Data and Information Systems Manager |
Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) The University of Sheffield |
| Emily Turton | Data specialist |
Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) The University of Sheffield |
| Heather Dakin | Trials Support Officer | The University of Sheffield |