
Improving Services and Outcomes for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism Spectrum DisordersBased on the need to characterize and improve early intervention services for minority and under-resourced children with ASD, this study translates a manualized and proven training model to examine its impact on the use of evidence-based practices (EBP) by early intervention providers, and to examine its relationship to child and family outcomes. By highlighting the impact of EBP-focused training on participating providers, children, and families, findings of the proposed study have the potential to effect significant change in the organization and delivery of early intervention services for minority and under-resourced children with ASD.

CBT for Comorbid Anxiety Disorders in Children With Autism, Asperger Syndrome, or PDD-NOS
Autistic DisorderAsperger Syndrome1 moreThis study is designed to examine the efficacy of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for treating anxiety symptoms, social problems, and adaptive behavior deficits in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Use of Acupuncture In Children With Autistic Spectrum Disorder
AutismAutistic DisorderThis is a study of the efficacy of acupuncture in children with autism.

Efficacy Study of Subcutaneous Methyl-B12 in Children With Autism
Autistic DisorderWe will be testing a specific dietary supplement, methylcobalamin (vitamin B12). Follow-up assessments with our clinical team will take place over the 12-week study period so that we can record any changes in development. The main goal of this study is to determine if subcutaneous injections of vitamin B12 given every three days can positively affect behavior and development in children with autism. Hypothesis: Methylcobalamin injections will improve measures of executive function, speech, and socialization in children with autism, and will be associated with metabolic improvement.

Riluzole to Treat Child and Adolescent Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder With or Without Autism Spectrum...
Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderAutism Spectrum Disorder3 moreThis study will examine the effectiveness of riluzole for treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Youth, Including those with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Effect of Hyperbaric Therapy on Markers of Oxidative Stress in Children With Autism
AutismOxidative StressThis study will look at the changes taking place in the blood levels of key markers of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the biological equivalent of rust on a car. It changes vital cell chemistry. It is known to occur at high pressure oxygen, but little is known about changes at pressures slightly greater than normal atmospheric pressure. Hyperbaric therapy is used in a variety of medical conditions. It is being tested in this study only for safety. It is not being assessed for the ability of hyperbaric oxygen to improve the clinical condition of children with autism. This study was felt to be important since autism appears to be associated with oxidative stress and hyperbarics was being used "off-label" for this condition without safety studies.

Diet and Behavior in Young Children With Autism
AutismAutistic DisorderThis study will determine whether a gluten- and casein-free diet has specific benefits for children with autism.

Randomized Study of Intensive One-on-one Behavioral Treatment for Preschool Aged Children With Autism...
Autistic DisorderOBJECTIVES: I. Determine the effectiveness of intensive one-on-one behavioral treatment in the home or neighborhood compared with at home, individualized, parent training in preschool aged children with autism. II. Identify intake measures that predict differences in outcome between subjects in the experimental group.

PEERS® for Italy, a Study on Social Skills Intervention for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder...
Autism Spectrum DisorderTThe research aims to verify the Italian adaptation of a parent-mediated group training focused on social skills for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills PEERS® is an evidence-based program with substantial literature (over 40 studies) applied in several countries. For the present study, about 40 adolescents, both boys, and girls with ASD, are enrolled and randomized into two groups. Groups (experimental group and waiting list) took part in the Italian telehealth adaptation of PEERS® at different times and were evaluated at several time points (baseline, pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up). The objective of the comparison was to explore the primary outcomes, such as the impact of training on social knowledge and performance, and secondary outcomes, like psychiatric comorbidities and neuropsychological profile. The hypothesis is that social skills (knowledge and performance) improve after training in the experimental group and affect the secondary outcomes, and the achievements are maintained at 3-months follow-up.

Using Serious Game Technology to Improve Sensitivity to Eye Gaze in Autism
AutismThe investigators hypothesize that this serious game (designed to provide a learning environment that maximizes opportunities for adolescents with autism to discover the functional utility of eye gaze) will improve sensitivity to eye gaze cues, specifically to identify gazed-at objects, and will also lead to increased social attention to faces in adolescents with autism. The investigators will test this hypothesis in a small-scale exploratory randomized control trial that will include both behavioral and eye tracking outcome measures.