Active clinical trials for "Asperger Syndrome"

This is a clinical trial of a novel intervention, Behavioral Therapy for Irritability and Aggression (BTIA), for adolescents on the autism spectrum. The main goals of BTIA are to help adolescents develop emotion regulation skills to handle frustration and to strengthen skills for navigating the challenging and diverse experiences associated with the transition to adulthood. The study will test whether BTIA can be helpful to adolescents on the autism spectrum and to their families.

This study will investigate and confirm the efficacy of two psychological treatments for adults with autism spectrum disorder. Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) is a cognitive remediation intervention that aims to help adults with problems in thinking, planning, and socialization. Enriched Supportive Therapy (EST) is an individual supportive therapy that aims to help adults learn about their condition, manage their emotions and stress, improve their social skills, and cope with everyday problems.

This study examines how the PEERS (Laugeson & Frankel, 2010; Laugeson, 2016) social-behavioral intervention affects social relationships and brain development and function in autistic preschoolers, adolescents, and young adults.

In addition to the core symptoms, children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit disruptive behavior problems including irritability, tantrums, noncompliance, and aggression. This is a pilot study of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, also known as Anger Control Training, in adolescents with high-functioning ASD. CBT teaches children to recognize antecedents and consequences of problem behavior and to use emotion regulation and problem-solving skills to reduce irritability, aggression and noncompliance. This form of CBT has been well-studied in typically developing children with disruptive behavior and we are investigating if this treatment can be feasible and helpful, with appropriate modifications, for irritability and disruptive behavior in ASD.

ASDactive is a theory-based behaviour change intervention aimed at improving the physical activity behaviours of autistic youth. The feasibility of the intervention will be tested through interviews with participants and stakeholders. "Proof of concept" will be tested through preliminary measures of physical activity measured before and after the intervention.

Exploring the effects of an exercise program for children ages 6 -26 years old who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical children respond to high-intensity whole body exercise interventions (Group 1), training using a sensory glove and armband (Group 2), no-intervention control (waitlist control) (Group 3). Approximately 50 children and adolescents will volunteer to participate in this program with participants parents' (or legal guardians') permission. This study will be conducted at an off-site pediatric occupational therapy facility Inclusive Sports and Fitness, Inc. (ISF).

Locomotor, transport and information functions in human body systems are carried out by active media in autowave regimes! Any living organism is a (micro-macro-mega) hierarchy of autowave subsystems-an ensemble of loosely coupled subsystems of a simpler structure. From the highest levels of the hierarchy, Autowave Codes-Signals arrive, which determine the transitions of subsystems from one autowave regime to another Autowave interaction (of Complex Coherent Action). Autowave interaction is a process associated with the evolution and interaction of spatial and wave structures in the active media of the organism. Chaos in organism functioning tells about health. Periodicity - Autowave reverberator may presage a disease - Autism Spectrum Disorder; Chaotic nature of oscillations in active media of physiological systems is more optimal for their vital functions than periodic one. Firstly, systems that function in chaotic regimes, can re-arrange themselves faster and easier in case of change of environmental conditions, i.e. the so called adaptive control is more easily implemented in them. Secondly, "spreading" of oscillations strength along comparatively wide frequency band takes place in chaotic regime. When an organism is young and healthy, physiological systems show the elements of chaotic behavior, i.e. irregularity and chaotic dynamics are the extremely important characteristics of health. Decrease in changeability and appearance of stable periodicity of Autowave reverberator are often connected with Autism. The main purpose is to study brain plasticity (the changes that occur in the brain through Autowave reverberator) in children with autism. Research suggests that during development, the brains of children may change in response to their Autowave reverberator differently than the brains of typically developing individuals. Investigators want to understand why and how this difference may contribute to the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, the investigators will be examining the effects of non-invasive neuromodulation SQUED™ series 28.1 home-use for Treatment of Autowave reverberator of Autism. Integrative Team World Organization of Medical Synergetics (WOMS) - collaborations between physicians and researchers with expertise in biostatistics, physics, mathematics, engineering, and computer science.

Investigating the efficacy of a form of TMS called theta-burst stimulation for restricted and repetitive behavior in ASD.

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disorders that affect communication, social interaction, and behavior. Relatively little is known about the relationship between genetics and behavior among these individuals and their close relatives. Researchers are interested in using interviews and rating scales to better understand these issues, as well as collecting brain scan data and genetic samples for testing and comparison. By comparing test results and genetic samples from healthy volunteers, people with ASD, and parents (or caregivers or legal guardians) of the first two groups, researchers hope to better understand the neuroscience of ASD. Objectives: To learn more about the brain in healthy people and in people with autism spectrum disorders. To study genes that might be involved in autism spectrum disorders by collecting DNA samples from participants. Eligibility: The following groups of participants will be eligible for the study: Individuals between 5 and 89 years of age who have autism spectrum disorders. Healthy volunteers between 5 and 89 years of age. Cognitively impaired children between 5 and 17 years of age. Parents/caregivers/legal guardians of individuals in the above three groups. Design: Participants will visit the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center for research tests, which will be administered over multiple visits. Researchers will determine the specific tests to be administered based on the medical history of the study participant. Researchers will study the brain through interviews, tests of thinking and memory (neuropsychological tests), brain imaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG). The study will also collect blood or saliva to obtain a DNA sample.

Background: Some patients with unusual genetic conditions are referred to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They may not be eligible to join current research studies. Testing such patients is a good way to improve the skills of research staff. The findings could lead to new processes and research. Objectives: To recruit a diverse group of pediatric subjects with genetic disorders. To give clinic staff hands-on experience working with these patients. Eligibility: Children any age with a known or suspected genetic disorder. Design: Participants will be screened with medical history and physical exam. They may have lab and other tests. Family members may give DNA samples. Participants will have: Medical history Physical exam Height, weight, and other measurements taken. A clinical evaluation of their disorder. They may have: Blood, urine, and saliva samples taken Imaging tests. These may include x-rays, scans, ultrasound, or skeletal survey. A sleep study A visit with other specialists at NIH A genetic test from a commercial lab Medical photographs taken Other tests Participants may have follow-up visits. They may get medical or surgical treatment.