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Targeted education can facilitate interest in clinical research participation – Kathleen Drennan and Beth Koch of Iris Global Clinical Trials Solutions give a new insight into the advantages of qualitative market research in ASD
Recent experience has shown that targeted education directed towards parents/caregivers can facilitate interest and participation in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research. The opportunity to speak with this audience about their children’s ASD elicited valuable feelings regarding the condition and available treatments, and can be an important part of central planning in ASD research.
ASD has recently gained considerable attention at local, national and global levels. Diagnoses of ASD are increasing and though the reason for the increase may be unclear, even controversial, research on the condition, as well as possible treatment options, have become a growing interest for the medical and research communities.
ASD is a group of developmental disabilities caused by abnormalities in the brain, which based on prevalence statistics from the National Institutes of Health (2004) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2001), affects one in every 166 births (1). Children with ASD exhibit problems along a spectrum of symptoms, including social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive behaviours or interests (2), which begin in early childhood and last throughout their lives (3). No two people with ASD have the exact same symptoms and their ability levels vary from mentally gifted to mentally challenged (3). ASD occurs in all racial, ethnic and socio-economic groups (3) and is five times more likely to occur in boys than girls (4).
The cause of ASD is still unknown and there is no cure, only treatment. Treatments include support and facilitation, behaviour modification, educational therapy and pharmaceuticals; usually neurologics, already marketed for other indications. New medications for treatment of these behavioural disorders are currently being evaluated. |
