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A pilot investigation of an iOS-based app for toilet training children with autism spectrum disorder.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Mruzek, DW; McAleavey, S; Loring, WA; Butter, E; Smith, T; McDonnell, E; Levato, L; Aponte, C; Travis, RP; Aiello, RE; Taylor, CM; Wilkins, JW ...
Published in: Autism
February 2019

We developed an iOS-based app with a transmitter/disposable sensor and corresponding manualized intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder. The app signaled the onset of urination, time-stamped accidents for analysis, reminded parents to reinforce intervals of continence, provided a visual outlet for parents to communicate reinforcement, and afforded opportunity for timely feedback from clinicians. We compared this intervention with an intervention that uses standard behavioral treatment in a pilot randomized controlled trial of 33 children with autism spectrum disorder aged 3-6 years with urinary incontinence. Parents in both groups received initial training and four booster consultations over 3 months. Results support the feasibility of parent-mediated toilet training studies (e.g., 84% retention rate, 92% fidelity of parent-implemented intervention). Parents used the app and related technology with few difficulties or malfunctions. There were no statistically significant group differences for rate of urine accidents, toilet usage, or satisfaction at close of intervention or 3-month follow-up; however, the alarm group trended toward greater rate of skill acquisition with significantly less day-to-day intervention. Further development of alarm and related technology and future comparative studies with a greater number of participants are warranted.

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Published In

Autism

DOI

EISSN

1461-7005

Publication Date

February 2019

Volume

23

Issue

2

Start / End Page

359 / 370

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Wireless Technology
  • Toilet Training
  • Reinforcement, Psychology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Parents
  • Mobile Applications
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Feasibility Studies
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Mruzek, D. W., McAleavey, S., Loring, W. A., Butter, E., Smith, T., McDonnell, E., … Zanibbi, K. (2019). A pilot investigation of an iOS-based app for toilet training children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 23(2), 359–370. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317741741
Mruzek, Daniel W., Stephen McAleavey, Whitney A. Loring, Eric Butter, Tristram Smith, Erin McDonnell, Lynne Levato, et al. “A pilot investigation of an iOS-based app for toilet training children with autism spectrum disorder.Autism 23, no. 2 (February 2019): 359–70. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317741741.
Mruzek DW, McAleavey S, Loring WA, Butter E, Smith T, McDonnell E, et al. A pilot investigation of an iOS-based app for toilet training children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. 2019 Feb;23(2):359–70.
Mruzek, Daniel W., et al. “A pilot investigation of an iOS-based app for toilet training children with autism spectrum disorder.Autism, vol. 23, no. 2, Feb. 2019, pp. 359–70. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/1362361317741741.
Mruzek DW, McAleavey S, Loring WA, Butter E, Smith T, McDonnell E, Levato L, Aponte C, Travis RP, Aiello RE, Taylor CM, Wilkins JW, Corbett-Dick P, Finkelstein DM, York AM, Zanibbi K. A pilot investigation of an iOS-based app for toilet training children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. 2019 Feb;23(2):359–370.
Journal cover image

Published In

Autism

DOI

EISSN

1461-7005

Publication Date

February 2019

Volume

23

Issue

2

Start / End Page

359 / 370

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Wireless Technology
  • Toilet Training
  • Reinforcement, Psychology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Parents
  • Mobile Applications
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Feasibility Studies