Active clinical trials for "Autistic Disorder"

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by deficits in social communication, delay in language and repetitive behaviors. Results from genetic studies reveal one pathway associated with susceptibility to ASDs, which includes synaptic cell adhesion molecules. Among the factors that could modulate this pathway are the genes controlling circadian rhythms. Sleep disorders and low melatonin levels are frequently observed in ASDs. Thus investigator will characterize the circadian rhythms of patients with ASD and search for circadian rhythms genes polymorphisms.

The Biomarkers in autism of aripiprazole and risperidone treatment (BAART) project will provide evidence-based guidance in the selection and monitoring of drug treatment of autism. BAART involves 3 academic centers across South Carolina. Although the FDA has approved use of the antipsychotic drug risperidone for irritability associated with autistic disorder, a moderate response rate in pivotal clinical trials and concerns over tolerability and weight gain can force clinicians to select alternative drug treatments for which evidence-based support is sparse.

This multi-center, randomized, double-blind study will evaluate exploratory biomarkers and the safety and tolerability of a single dose of RO5028442 in adult male high-functioning autistic patients. In a cross-over design, patients will be randomized to receive either a single dose of RO5028442 or matching placebo with a washout period of 7-14 days. Anticipated time on study is up to approximately 9 weeks.

This study will determine whether peer interaction training interventions are effective in enhancing the social relationships of children with autism.

ECHO Autism was intended to assess rigorously the impact of a 12-session telemedicine training program on participating Primary Care Providers (PCP) knowledge, clinical behavior, and self-efficacy in the screening and care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Each session is referred to as an "ECHO clinic".

Severe injurious behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder are challenging. First line treatment approaches include behavioral techniques but pharmacotherapy is frequently required despite frequent adverse effects in youths. Therapeutic body wraps has been reported in small series or case reports, but has never been assessed in the context of a randomized controlled trial. The present study is an exploratory, multicenter, randomized, controlled, open label with blinded outcome assessment (PROBE design) trial of the effect of wet versus dry therapeutic body wraps in children presenting with autism spectrum disorder and severe injurious behavior.

The purpose of the study is twofold. First, to identify the effect of a 12-week fundamental motor skills (FMS) (e.g., throwing, catching, running) intervention on the active participation in physical recreation activities as well as a variety of other factors (child behaviors, communication, and adaptive skills). Second, to identify patterns, benefits, constraints, and strategies to active participation in physical recreation activities among families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (pre-post) through in-person or via phone interviews with parents and children with ASD. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three protocols: 1) Workshop group, 2) Home-based group, and 3) Wait-listed home-based group. Participants in all groups will receive an activity booklet (in the form of an App) and physical education-related activity items (e.g., ball, hoop). The investigators hypothesize that both the workshop and home-based groups will improve in all measures from pre to post compared to the wait-list control group. The investigators want to determine if the differences in the workshop and home-based groups differ significantly or are equitable in terms of gains in all areas.

The serious game "JeStiMulE" (Educational Game for Multisensory Stimulation of Children with developmental disorders), developed by the Autism Resources Center of Nice, was created to teach social cognition including emotion recognition in context, for children and adolescents with autism. In a previous study, JeStiMulE has demonstrated efficacy in a population of young people aged 6-17 years old with high and low levels of autism. According to the recommendations of the 2011 HAS, disorders of social interactions are the most persistent troubles of the autistic triad in life. It seems essential to us to be able to offer young adults with autism, rehabilitation methods adapted to their trouble, and to observe whether JeStiMulE could be one of them. This study researches the effectiveness of the serious game JeStiMulE in the improvement social cognition for adults with autism versus controls. The main goal is: - Comparing the improvement in social cognition among adults with autism using the serious game JeStiMulE or not. Two groups will be formed: a first one of fifteen adults with a diagnosis of autism objectified, this group will use JeStiMulE and will be compared to a control group of adults with autism, using another video game, not aimed to improve social cognition. The objective of JeStiMulE players will be ending the game after a learning period and two playing periods (with emotional words and idioms, including three modules each). The groups will be matched with their nonverbal IQ through Raven matrices and visual memory tasks (WAIS). The control group will also be stimulated through a video game, not specialized in improving social cognition. The primary outcome will be assessed by the emotion recognition at the FEEST of Ekman test: by the number of emotions recognized on faces, compared to the number of emotion presented through this test. The secondary outcomes will be: The rest of social cognition improvement by several tests (the theory of mind with the score of the Tom-15, the intention with the score Sarfati cartoons, empathy with a self-administered questionnaire: EQ / AQ). The impact on the quality of life, verbal fluency of emotional words, and the feedback from JeStiMulE players will also be seen as a secondary outcome.

In recent years, there have been a growing number of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). As such, this increase has expanded the number of caregivers of children with ASD. Research has shown that having a child with an ASD is stressful for caregivers and their families. More specifically, prior research suggests that caregivers of children with ASD may find it difficult to maintain feelings of control and to cope with the overall physical and emotional demands of caring for their child. A previous study of caregivers of children with ASD found that caregivers felt a lack of personal control over aspects of their child s condition and also found it difficult to cope with various demands of caregiving. Furthermore, this study found that greater levels of perceived personal control and the use of problem-focused coping strategies were associated with caregivers adaptation to their child s condition. As such, the goal of our research is to conduct a feasibility study using a coping effectiveness training (CET) intervention designed to enhance perceived personal control (PPC) and coping efficacy in caregivers of children with ASD. There has been a growing interest in developing interventions targeted at constructs involved in the adaptation process. However, there have been few studies of interventions targeting predictors of adaptation such as PPC and coping efficacy. Research has shown that the CET intervention can enhance coping efficacy in several other populations. This intervention also incorporates appraisals of one s ability to change a particular situation. The conceptual framework for our study was adapted from Lazarus and Folkman s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. A cross-sectional randomized treatment-control design is proposed to evaluate the use of a CET intervention intended to enhance PPC and coping efficacy. Caregivers of children with ASD will be recruited from support groups, autism resource centers, and four clinics. Participants randomized to the treatment group will be asked to complete baseline and follow-up surveys and two 1.5-hour individualized in-person sessions. Participants randomized to the control group will be asked to complete baseline and follow-up surveys and two 1.5-hour individualized in-person client-centered discussion sessions. The main outcome measures will be participation, reasons for withdrawal, participants experiences within the intervention setting and their experiences in applying the intervention, PPC, coping efficacy, and coping effectiveness.

The purpose of this study is to determine the tolerability of dietary supplements and if these supplements can promote a healthy bacterial environment in the intestines of children with autism spectrum disorders and gastrointestinal complaints.