Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences

Environmental enrichment for infants: parenting with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

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Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a new very early intervention approach for infants at risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – that is, infants with a parent or a sibling with ASD.

We are recruiting mothers of infants at risk of ASD to participate in a randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of the intervention. The very early intervention is called ENACT (Environmental Enrichment for infants; parenting with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and it targets social reciprocity from the earliest months, harnessing the power of ordinary parent-infant interaction. In addition, ENACT incorporates strategies to support parental mental health and wellbeing, as well as coping with parenting challenges such as infant sleep. ENACT is delivered online, beginning antenatally, and combines an online e-course with online consultations with a clinician, supporting parents in tailoring the intervention to best meet their own individual needs and the needs of their baby.

You'll receive:

Participants will be randomly allocated to take part in ENACT or to receive care as usual. If you are randomly assigned to ENACT, then you will receive the ENACT early intervention including the e-course and clinician support. All participants will receive a report from our developmental paediatrician detailing their child’s 12-month developmental assessment free of charge.

Eligibility:

You can participate in this study if:

  1.  You are currently pregnant with a child who has a first-degree relative (a mother, father, sister or brother) who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  2. You have reliable internet access (e.g. ADSL).
  3. You are able to visit the Children’s Health Research Centre in Brisbane when your infant is 6 months and 12 months old for in-person developmental assessments.

Families are not eligible to participate if their baby has a known chromosomal or neurological condition.

Register your interest:

For more information or to participate please contact Miss Kavindri Kulasinghe or Dr Andrea McGlade at 07 3069 7547 or uqenact@uq.edu.au. You can visit our study website:

Enact project

This study has been approved by The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval No. 2019000558]