Exploring the Efficacy and Usability of the My Autism Passport (MAP).

Summary

To address developmental service navigation by families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) an innovative paper-based tracking tool called the Pediatric Developmental Passport (Passport) was created by Dr. Elizabeth Young at St. Michael's Hospital. The Passport was adapted through a partnership between St. Michael's hospital and Autism Films Inc. into a mobile application called My Autism Passport (MAP). MAP allows families to learn about, and manage publicly-funded ASD services from their mobile device. Users can locate resources within their region, and track their progress in accessing services across multiple service agencies. The user can also set reminders on MAP which will be synced with their calendars, record notes, and read short summaries of the services offered by regional agencies. In this way, the application keeps families engaged, and allows them to take control of their child's care.

The feasibility of the MAP mobile application will be assessed by clinicians and end users. Clinicians from five developmental diagnostic organizations that have more than one year of experience diagnosing and providing follow up care to children with ASD will be informed of the study and invited to participate in recruitment in their respective practices. Caregivers of a child that is given a new diagnosis of ASD will be invited to participate in the study and be randomized to the control group or non control group and may have access to the application for 18 months. During the 18 month period, data on how caregivers are using the app will be collected. At 6, 12 and 18 months, caregivers will be invited to participate in questionnaires on number of services accessed, parent stress levels and self-efficacy levels. Questionnaires and interviews will be quantitatively analyzed for differences between groups, and findings will be used to improve the app prior to a larger prospective clinical trial.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

DEVICE

My Autism Passport (MAP) Application

Families will be given the application to upload to their mobile device and will be provided information on how to use the App by the research team. MAP is a mobile alternative to the paper version, and offers additional benefits such as the ability to set reminders, see regional developmental service agencies and other resources on a map, and directs the caregiver to information so that they may further their understanding about how to support their child.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Autism Speaks

  collaborator OTHER

• Unity Health Toronto

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Elizabeth Young, MD · Unity Health Toronto

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

1 Month

Max Age

6 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-03-01

Primary Completion

2023-02-28

Completion

2023-02-28

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations