Informations générales (source: ClinicalTrials.gov)
Evaluation of a Therapeutic Education Program for Pregnant Women with a First Child Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Interventional
N/A
Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (Voir sur ClinicalTrials)
novembre 2024
août 2026
03 décembre 2025
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous set of severe developmental
abnormalities of the nervous system characterized by deficits affecting social
interactions and verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as the presence of
restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and atypical sensory manifestations . ASD
affects approximately 1% of the general population (Elsabbagh et al., 2012). Studies of
siblings of individuals with ASD show that ASD is present in 7-20% of the offspring in
families where a child has had a diagnosis of ASD and this prevalence increases if there
are two diagnosed children.
Several studies show the benefits of interventions targeting parents' interaction
strategies in the early phases of development of infants at high risk for ASDs, in
reducing the risk itself or its severity. Very early intervention, due to the presence of
significant brain plasticity at these stages, may be particularly effective in changing
these emerging trajectories, from a "preventive intervention" perspective that
would aim to mitigate developmental risk and alter prodromal symptom trajectories, rather
than eliminate a condition.
Our hypothesis is that the implementation of a specific therapeutic education program
during a new pregnancy in the mother of a child with a diagnosis of ASD (MER Program)
could improve the mother's well-being, increase parenting communication skills, and
thereby improve interaction with the newborn at high risk for ASD. If the infant is
affected, it may also reduce the symptoms of the disorder. Indirectly, it could also
improve the well-being of the other parent involved in the interaction.
The M.E.R (Mères Ecoute Ressources) programme is a therapeutic education intervention
aimed at mothers of children with ASD during a new pregnancy. This programme, which is
being piloted in France and Europe, involves a number of dimensions, both educational and
behavioural (strategies for stimulating the baby, use of specific communication and
interaction tools) and psychological (reduction of stress, anxiety, etc. in the mother).
The programme comprises 8 one-to-one sessions lasting 1.5 hours every 15 days. The first
and last of these are for assessment purposes, with the 6 intermediate sessions
constituting the support. The structure of the programme and the sessions is based on
what is recommended in therapeutic education. The sessions can take place on the hospital
site or by teleconsultation (remote consultation used in the context of healthcare).
Etablissements
| Les établissements d'Île-de-France ayant mis à jour leurs données Origine et niveau de fiabilité des données | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP-HP Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris | 13/12/2025 07:24:16 | Contacter | |||
| AP-HP - Hôpital Bichat | |||||
| AP-HP - Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades | |||||
| AP-HP - Hôpital Robert Debré | |||||
| Les établissements sans correspondance certaine dans le répertoire FINESS dont les données sont issues de ClinicalTrials.gov Origine et niveau de fiabilité des données | |||||
| Hôpital Robert Debré - 75019 - Paris - France | Anita Beggiato, PHD | Contact (sur clinicalTrials) | |||
Critères
Femme
Inclusion Criteria:
- Mothers of children with a diagnosis of ASD, in pregnancy (before the 26th week of
amenorrhea);
- The diagnosis of ASD of the older child has been made, according to the DSM IV-TR or
DSM 5 criteria, formalized by a diagnostic evaluation including: the Autism
Diagnostic Observation Schedule ADOS, the Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised
version (ADI-R) accompanied by a cognitive evaluation of the child (Wechsler/Mullen
Scales of Early Learning/Raven's Progressive Matrices);
- Informed consent from mother and sec
- Mothers of children with a diagnosis of ASD, in pregnancy (before the 26th week of
amenorrhea);
- The diagnosis of ASD of the older child has been made, according to the DSM IV-TR or
DSM 5 criteria, formalized by a diagnostic evaluation including: the Autism
Diagnostic Observation Schedule ADOS, the Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised
version (ADI-R) accompanied by a cognitive evaluation of the child (Wechsler/Mullen
Scales of Early Learning/Raven's Progressive Matrices);
- Informed consent from mother and sec
- Presence of a clearly identified and unstabilized severe psychiatric disorder in the
mother (confirmed by medical interview and DIGS questionnaire conducted at the time
of the inclusion visit) and/or intellectual disability;
- Engagement in another form of individual therapeutic intervention.
- Refusal of either parent (for child assessment, primary criterion)
- Parents not proficient in French language
- Persons (mother or second parent) under legal protection, guardianship or
trusteeship, persons deprived of liberty, under court protection, under psychiatric
care, under constraint, admitted to a health or social institution for purposes
other than research
- Persons with cognitive disorders or intellectual disabilities