Autism

Funding for a major new clinical trial to develop communication skills for pre-school autistic children and their parents has been unveiled by the Medical Research Council (MRC).  It is one of two new awards for studies in autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that together have received funding of approximately £1.5m. 

The four-year PACT trial (Pre-school Autism Communication Trial), led by Professor Jonathan Green at the University of Manchester, will study the effectiveness of a treatment to enhance parent/child communication and the social and language development of the child.

Stakeholder Response: Medical Research Council

Professor Colin Blakemore, chief executive of MRC, said: "There has been very little systematic research into effective treatments for autism.  In funding these two projects, the MRC hopes that solid research foundations can be established.

"MRC’s 2001 review of autism research identified some of the successes in autism research but also highlighted current gaps in knowledge. 

"These studies and their predecessors in 2004 address those gaps. 

"Furthermore, we hope that this significant investment across a diverse set of projects will provide long-term benefit by supporting an increase in the UK research capacity in this area."

Stakeholder Response: National Autistic Society

Richard Mills, director of research at the National Autistic Society, said: "The National Autistic Society (NAS) welcomes the announcement of two new awards for studies in autism, regarding intervention research for pre-school children and effective memory recall for adults with Asperger syndrome (17/3/05).  These awards are in addition to the four awards announced in the summer of 2004. 

"There is a shortage of independent scientific study into interventions, despite the large numbers of approaches available.  Too little activity has been devoted to the evaluation of the various interventions and therapies in use.

"It is important to note that, at present, the causes of autism are not known, and there is no known cure. 

"However, various interventions are available that can have a positive effect on the development of an individual with the disability. 

"A recent NAS survey of its membership confirms the need for more and better research into the growing number of interventions.

"Parents are often confused by the amount of interventions and therapies available, and require more direction on which may be appropriate for their child. 

"We believe that those involved in research at all levels should pay close attention to the needs and views of people affected by the condition.

"The PACT trial will evaluate whether focused intervention, targeted at known core impairments of social communication in autism, adds anything over and above the routine interventions for the disability.  The evaluation will take into account child symptoms, implications for care and cost effectiveness.

"The NAS has been pleased to support this robust study which will add to our understanding of autism and contribute to the development of an evidence base for intervention, and to policy and practice in this area. 

"We welcome the support of the MRC in relation to this and other intervention studies.

"However a great deal remains to be done in areas where there is currently little or no activity as evidenced in the mapping autism research report which the NAS produced in association with the Institute of Child Health and PACE.  

"The second study aims to understand why adults with Asperger syndrome often have a good memory for facts but may have less effective recall for how they fit into events. 

"The NAS hopes that the research will improve understanding of the way people with asperger syndrome experience the world around them. 

"It is hoped that this will lead to ways of evaluating the best means of teaching and developing independence skills for people with Asperger syndrome.

"These skills include enhancement of self esteem, social skills and ways of dealing with anxiety, personal relationships and relationships at work.

"The recent survey of NAS members highlighted the urgent need for evaluation of biomedical approaches, particularly the effects of special diets and nutrients and for research activity into interventions for adults, especially those with mental health needs or challenging behaviour."