START is a new programme to support toddlers with a family connection to autism or ADHD to develop strong attention, regulation and thinking skills.
We are now recruiting families in Oxford, East London or Birmingham with children born after June 2021 to take part in the START trial.
Additional support
The START programme was developed for toddlers with a family connection to autism or ADHD because research indicates that they may benefit from additional support to promote the development of strong attention, regulation and thinking skills (known as executive functions).
Strong executive functions are linked to better mental health and higher quality of life, across a range of populations.
The aim of the START programme is to support all children to thrive, whether they are neurodivergent (i.e. autistic/ADHD) or neurotypical (have no developmental conditions). The programme training and materials place an emphasis on inclusivity and valuing neurodiversity.
Taking part in the feasibility trial involves:
- completing questionnaires about you and your child. You can choose to complete these online, on paper versions that we post to you, or over the phone. To thank you for your time we will send you a £10 online shopping voucher after each set is completed (£30 in total).
- two face-to-face visits, in which researchers will play with your child to collect information about their strengths and difficulties. You can choose for these visits to take place in your home, or at the Oxford BabyLab. We will provide your child with a small gift to thank them for their time. If you need to travel we will reimburse the cost.
- possibly taking part in a free 12-week programme with your child which aims to help toddlers to develop strong attention, regulation and thinking skills. Half of the families taking part in the study will be offered the programme, the other half will not (but can continue to access other services as usual). The programme will be assigned at random. The programme involves 12 parent-and-toddler sessions, one each week. Each session lasts an hour. The sessions are held in a local venue and we will cover the cost of your travel expenses.
Get in touch
For more information visit https://startproject.info/ or email start@psy.ox.ac.uk
