Active clinical trials for "Autism Spectrum Disorder"

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a communication system for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a PECS-based tooth-brushing program on gingival health in children with ASD and assess parents' perception of PECS. This was a prospective interventional study. Using PECS as a pictures/cards series showing a structured tooth-brushing method, 37 children with ASD (31 males, 6 females) (average age 9.49±4.10, 4-16 years) and their parents/caregivers were trained on tooth-brushing twice, two weeks apart. Data collected after examinations (baseline, 3, 6-months) included gingival and plaque indices (GI, PI) and two questionnaires (baseline, 6-months) for demographic data and parents' perception of PECS including: difficulty rating (easy, hard, very hard) and PECS usefulness.

This study aims to investigate synaptic physiology and behavioral inhibition in patients with NF1 and ASD and to answer whether inhibitory deficits at these levels are modulated by lovastatin. Structure: (1) Visit 1: Baseline assessment- participant's characterization, baseline outcome measures and additional evaluations, (2) 3 consecutive days of physiologically probing drug/placebo intake, (3) Visit 2: Outcome measures and additional evaluations in the day after the last drug/placebo intake, (4) Washout period of 4 to 6 weeks, (5) 3 consecutive days of drug/placebo intake, (6) Visit 3: Outcome measures and additional evaluations in the day after the last placebo/drug intake.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability that includes deficits in social communication and social interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. The current treatment approaches for the management of autism are expensive, showing unwanted adverse effects; alter the genetic and metabolic pathways. Many studies referred to the importance of probiotics, minerals and antioxidant supplementation in the treatment of accompanied eating and feeding problems. Meanwhile, there are still controversial results about the effectiveness of dietary interventions for ASD like the gluten-free/casein-free diet and the ketogenic diet. Dates have been documented in the Holy Quran and proved in modern scientific literature to act as potent antioxidants and as an anti-inflammatory, provide a suitable alternative therapy in various diseases cure. The medicinal therapeutic value of date fruits as nutritional probiotic and its implications in controlling autism through the anti-oxidant effect will be evaluated. Moreover, at which dose Dates fruit can exert its effect and whether this effect is sustained or not will be also evaluated. Besides, Dates' effect on cognitive, neurological parameters, eating behaviors, and gastrointestinal symptoms and anthropometric measures will be evaluated. A non-randomized clinical study on 120 diagnosed autistic children aged 3-12 years in Cairo will be conducted. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (each with 40 children) receiving one of three regimens; the first group will receive 3 Dates per day for 3 months and the second group will receive 5 Dates per day for 3 months and the third group will receive nothing. All groups will receive nutrition guidance, behavioral modification, and stimulation sessions. Stools and blood samples will be collected before the study, after 12 weeks of the intervention and then 12 weeks after completion of the intervention. Evaluating Dates' ability to decrease the oxidative stress will be done through comparing blood levels of three oxidative markers; Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in children with autism for the three proposed regimen. The impact of the Dates fruit consumption on the microbiota of the autistic children both the pathogenic bacteria and probiotics will be done through traditional stool analysis and Real-time PCR before and after interventions.

Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) Therapy is an individualized intervention designed to address specific underlying sensorimotor issues that may affect children's performance during daily routines and occupations. The intervention takes place in the context of play, emphasizes the active participation of the child, involves a collaborative relationship between the occupational therapist and the child, and focuses on participation-oriented outcomes that are collected at regular intervals throughout the intervention program. In general, its content is to improve the child's occupational performance. The program, which will be carried out in accordance with the Ayres Sensory Integration Fidelity Measure®, it is aimed to reduce the autism-specific symptoms of the child with autism and the dependence of the child on the caregiver in self-care activities. It is predicted that this whole process will increase the participation and his performance of the child with autism in his occupations related to his daily life. H0: Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy has no effect on the occupational performance of the child with autism spectrum disorder.

Parent-mediated interventions are considered best practice for treating children with autism spectrum disorder, but these interventions are underutilized in community settings. Implementation strategies like consultation can improve the implementation of these interventions, but little is known about the active ingredients of consultation. This study uses an experimental design (ABCD single-case design with multiple baselines) to identify the active ingredients of a consultation model designed to support the implementation of a parent-mediated intervention for autism spectrum disorder in a low-resourced community mental health system.

This is a 4 part study: Phase 1a. -functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) ( with oxytocin 24 IU vs. placebo = oxytocin 0 IU) - funded by grant #U54 HD079124-01, Phase 1b-eye-tracking(oxytocin 24 IU vs. placebo = oxytocin 0 IU), Phase 2a. fMRI (oxytocin 8 IU vs. oxytocin 40IU), Phase 2b. -eye-tracking (oxytocin 8IU vs. oxytocin 40IU). Time course of effect will also be assessed within session.

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.

To study the effects of a psychostimulant on responses to affective touch in individuals with a range of autistic traits

This pilot study examines the impact of the SeRenade Parent-Child Music Class Program, which emphasizes parent training, peer inclusion, and musical play combined with established behavioral techniques, on the development of child social engagement, positive behavior, and parental well-being.

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.