Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Spectrum DisordersDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT; Linehan, 1993) effectively diminishes emotion dysregulation and self-harm behaviors in a number of disorders. However, to our knowledge, no studies have investigated the efficacy of DBT to treat emotional dysregulation associated with self-harm and suicidal behaviors in adults with ASD without intellectual disability. This randomized controlled study trial aims to assess the efficacy of a 5-month DBT intervention in adults with ASD without intellectual disability who present with self-harm and/or suicidal behaviors.
RUBIES in Educational Settings
Autism Spectrum DisorderDisruptive BehaviorThe proposed three-year pilot randomized trial aims to test the effectiveness of the newly-redesigned paraeducator-delivered RUBI for use in Educational Settings (RUBIES) intervention compared to usual care training in reducing disruptive behavior in 80 elementary-school children with ASD. Given the critical need to understand not just whether, but also how interventions work, this study also will examine paraeducator- and child-level mechanistic pathways of the RUBIES intervention.
Aquatic Therapy for ASD
Autism Spectrum DisorderThis is an aquatic occupational therapy group for children between the ages of 3-12 that have an autism diagnosis. Intervention will focus on increasing the child's safety swim skills.
Open-Label, Flexible-dose Study to Evaluate the Long-Term Safety and Tolerability of Cariprazine...
SchizophreniaBipolar I Disorder1 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of cariprazine in the treatment of pediatric participants with schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to establish the benefit-risk profile of long-term treatment in this population.
Effect of Lithium in Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (SHANK3...
Autism Spectrum DisorderThere is currently no treatment for the body symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). However, basic research suggests that some forms of ASD may be alleviated, even in the adult stage. The genes involved in ASDs particularly impact synaptic homeostasis. Specific clinical trials in patients with synaptic mutations need to be carried out. In this spirit, patients with deleterious mutations in SHANK3 represent a paradigm. The induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSc) carrying SHANK3 mutations and derived in neurons, can be used for high-throughput screening of pharmacological substances and allow the identification of compounds that can restore the expression level of SHANK3. The objective of this proposed project is to test one of the compounds identified by research on these iPSc as a novel treatment for social communication deficit in patients with deleterious mutations in SHANK3. Its effect on the symptoms of the social deficit could represent a new perspective for other forms of idiopathic autism.
AIR-B4: Mind the Gap
Autism Spectrum DisorderNeurodevelopmental DisordersThe AIRB research team will compare the use and effectiveness of each intervention (Mind the Gap, Remaking Recess and Self Determination Learning Model of Instruction) with and without the addition of an implementation strategy, UNITED. In all groups, the research team will train community practitioners using remote delivery of professional development modules specific to the intervention, and active coaching for up to 12 sessions as dictated by the intervention procedures during a time span of 6 months. The research team will pair UNITED with three interventions that cover the ages of early childhood, childhood, and adolescence. These include Mind the Gap (MTG), a family navigation intervention for children newly diagnosed under age 8, Remaking Recess (RR), a school-based social/peer engagement intervention for children ages 5-12, and Self-Determination Learning Model of Instruction (SDMLI), a self-advocacy intervention for adolescents (13-22 years; 22 is the upper age limit of high school for individuals with disabilities). For MTG, peer navigators (staff working in an organization that already works with parents) and parents (with children with ASD) will meet via phone or video conference for up to 12 sessions within a 6 month span (an hour each time). They will go over sessions that were created by the research group that help parents understand the system of acquiring services. The total time commitment for peer navigators is about 18 hours and for parents with children with ASD is about 8.5 hours. Identified families connected to the community organization will be matched with one peer navigator who will then guide and support the caregiver through completion of the MTG modules with active coaching of the family. Family needs and preferences will guide topic selection. Active coaching will occur via zoom, or over the phone, based on family preference and some recorded sessions will be shared with the research group for analyses. Mind the Gap will be available in English, Spanish, and Korean.
Neurofeedback Intervention in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
NeurofeedbackAutistic Disorder2 moreThis project aims to: explore the effectiveness of Neurofeedback therapy for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assess if cognitive functions are affected before and after Neurofeedback Intervention
Establishment of Social Skills Training Group in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Effectiveness...
Autism Spectrum DisorderAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, and the presence of restricted, repetitive behavior and interests, affecting 1 in 68 children. Although atypical social deficits onset in early childhood, their social relationships with peers may remain a challenge or even worsen for individuals with ASD throughout the school years and beyond, as social contexts increase in complexity and pose higher social expectations.
Training and Implementation of RUBI in Community Mental Health Settings
Autism Spectrum DisorderThis project is focused on evaluating outcomes related to this statewide clinical training effort in the RUBI parent training program. Up to 400 providers in Maine are enrolling in a "Level 1" 16-hour RUBI introductory training through one of three modalities (1) self-paced "On Demand" webinars, (2) 16 weekly one-hour meetings ("ECHO group"); or (3) "2-day live virtual trainings." Up to 140 providers who complete Level 1 are then being offered the option to advance to "Level 2" RUBI Certification Training. These varying clinical training options create the opportunity to study three groups of RUBI Training participants who received varying intensities/doses of training: (1) those who completed only the 16-hr psychoeducational training either live or On Demand, (2) those who complete only the 16-hr training via the hybrid consultation/training ECHO model, and (3) those who complete intensive fidelity consultation training in addition to the 16-hr introductory training. In order to examine the impact of training dosage and modality on outcomes of this RUBI clinical training effort, we are conducting two related studies: The purpose of Study 1 is to learn about the crucial elements of RUBI intervention training in relation to promoting community provider implementation success. This will be measured by providers' self-reported data related to: 1) satisfaction with the RUBI training, 2) knowledge gained about behavioral principles through the training, 3) improvements in self-efficacy in supporting autistic youth with challenging behaviors and their caregivers, and 4) satisfaction with the RUBI intervention, including strategies used in practice with caregivers of youth with ASD/IDD. In other words, what is a "good enough" dose of RUBI training to promote provider satisfaction with the training, intervention, and use of RUBI strategies? The purpose of Study 2 is to provide an examination of RUBI intervention implementation by examining outcomes related to: 1) provider self-reported and observed implementation fidelity of RUBI during sessions, 2) caregiver implementation of RUBI strategies with their child, 3) caregiver satisfaction with the RUBI intervention, and 4) the effects of caregiver implementation of RUBI on child challenging behavior.
How Simplified Language Affects Comprehension and Learning in Young Autistic Children
Autism Spectrum DisorderThe long-term study goal is to experimentally evaluate the components (and likely active ingredients) of early language interventions for young children with ASD. The overall objective is to determine how single-word and telegraphic simplification affects real-time language processing and word learning in young children with ASD (relative to full, grammatical utterances). The proposed project will investigate three specific aims: 1) Determine how single-word and telegraphic simplification affects language processing. 2) Determine how single-word and telegraphic simplification affects word learning. 3) Evaluate child characteristics that may moderate the effects of linguistic simplification on language processing and word learning. Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that children with ASD will process full, grammatical utterances faster and more accurately than single-word or telegraphic utterances. Aim 2 will test the hypothesis that full, grammatical utterances will support word learning better than telegraphic or single-word utterances. Aim 3 will test the hypothesis that language and cognitive skills significantly moderate the effects of linguistic simplification on language processing and word learning in young children with ASD.