School Readiness Intervention for Preschool Children With Sickle Cell Disease

Purpose

The study participant is being asked to take part in this clinical trial, a type of research study, because the participant is a young child with sickle cell disease or the caregiver of a child with sickle cell disease. This study is being done to test a school readiness program for children with sickle cell disease (ages 3.5-6,5 years old). Primary Objective Assess feasibility and acceptability of an adapted school readiness intervention among preschool children (ages 3.5-6.5) diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Secondary Objectives Objective 1: Measure preliminary efficacy of the adapted school readiness intervention compared to routine care among preschool children ages (3.5-6.5) diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Objective 2: Examine implementation factors (i.e., barriers and facilitators) during post-intervention.

Condition

  • Sickle Cell Disease

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 42 Months and 78 Months
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Diagnosed with sickle cell disease of any genotype. - Enrolled on the institutional protocol: Sickle Cell Clinical Research Intervention Program (SCCRIP) - Age 3.5-6.5 years inclusive at the time of enrollment - English as the primary language - Research participant and one parent willing to participate and provide consent/assent according to institutional guidelines Caregiver Participants - Have a child diagnosed with SCD of any genotype between the ages of 3.5-6.5 years and enrolled in SCCRIP - English as the primary language

Exclusion Criteria

  • Do not have a child diagnosed with SCD of any genotype between the ages of 3.5-6.5 years and enrolled in SCCRIP - Non-English speakers

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Readiness Intervention
- Attend virtual classroom program sessions- If participants are in the school readiness group, the caregiver, will attend about 8 weeks of sessions virtually with a teacher or social worker and a caregiver of a child with sickle cell, for a total of 8 sessions. The sessions will be during the summer and done in a group. Each session will last about 1 ½ hours and will be video recorded. > •Complete a caregiver interview-If participants are in the school readiness group, a member of the study team will interview you after the virtual classroom sessions are over. The interview will take about 15-20 minutes and will be audio recorded. Participants will be asked for suggestions and how satisfied you were with the program. - Complete assessments - Caregiver and participant will complete a set of assessments that evaluate school readiness skills (e.g., early math and reading), child behaviors, and parent-child relationships before and after the intervention.
  • Behavioral: The adapted Kids in Transition to School Intervention
    An intensive, school readiness intervention designed to improve preschoolers' social skills, early literacy, numeracy, and self-regulation skills at high risk for academic difficulties. The intervention is delivered virtually over 8 weeks with caregivers and intentionally occurs over the summer when there is a gap in preschool services.
    Other names:
    • Kids in Transition to School (KITS)
Other
Control: Standard school resources
Parents will be provided with information about preschool programs available in the community and age appropriate books for their children
  • Behavioral: Standard school resources
    Information about local preschool programs and age appropriate books for children will be provided.

Recruiting Locations

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis 4641239, Tennessee 4662168 38105
Contact:
ANDREW HEITZER, PhD
866-278-5833
referralinfo@stjude.org

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Study Contact

ANDREW HEITZER, PhD
866-278-5833
referralinfo@stjude.org

Detailed Description

- Group randomization- Parent and child will be randomly selected (like the flip of a coin) to receive either the school readiness intervention or the standard school resources. - Attend virtual classroom program sessions- If the participant is in the school readiness group, the caregiver, will attend about 8 weeks of sessions virtually with a teacher and a caregiver of a child with sickle cell, for a total of 8 sessions. The sessions will be during the summer and done in a group. Each session will last about 1 ½ hours and will be video recorded. These sessions will be shared with another researcher for feedback and consistency. - Complete a caregiver interview-If you are in the school readiness group, a member of the study team will interview you after the virtual classroom sessions are over. The interview will take about 15-20 minutes and will be audio recorded. The caregiver will be asked for suggestions and how satisfied with the program. - Complete assessments - Caregiver and child will complete a set of assessments that evaluate school readiness skills (e.g., early math and reading), child behaviors, and parent-child relationships before and after the intervention.