Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive...
Autism Spectrum DisorderObsessive-Compulsive BehaviorIndividuals with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience obsessions and/or compulsions that are similar to those specified in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) criteria for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). However, little research exists on effective interventions for OCD symptoms (referred to as OCBs) in ASD. In a randomized controlled trial, a manualized functional behavior-based cognitive-behavior therapy (Fb-CBT) consisting of traditional CBT components (psychoeducation and mapping, cognitive-behavioral skills training, exposure, and response prevention) as well as function-based behavioral assessment will be evaluated. Participants will be assigned randomly to Fb-CBT or treatment as usual (TAU). Primary and secondary outcome measures will be used to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment, and will be administered at pre and post-intervention as well as six month follow-up.
A Collaborative Public/Private Employment Training and Placement Model ASD Transition Age Youth...
Autism Spectrum DisorderThe aim of the research project is to conduct evidence-based research on a nationally known vocational rehabilitation (VR) service model (Project Search) for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This information may be useful to high schools and vocational rehabilitation agencies that endeavor to use evidence based practices to serve individuals with ASD.
Oxytocin and Social Cognitive Skills Groups
Autism Spectrum DisorderThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of integrating targeted dosing of intranasal oxytocin with a social cognitive skills group therapy for school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Efficacy of a Comprehensive School-based Intervention for High-functioning Children With Autism...
Autism Spectrum DisorderThis study was a 4-year efficacy trial (cluster randomized trial) of a comprehensive school-based intervention (CSBI) for high-functioning elementary students with autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). The sample included children, in grades 1-5 with HFASD enrolled in public schools. School buildings were randomly assigned to either receive the CSBI or serve as the control comparison (business-as-usual [BAU]). School staff in the CSBI schools administered social skills groups (60-90 minutes per week), facial-emotion recognition computer instruction (60 minutes per week), therapeutic activities (40-60 minutes per week), a behavioral reinforcement system (across the school day), and parent training (60-90 minutes per month) during the school year. Children with HFASD in the BAU schools received their typical educational program. Implementation fidelity was assessed by research assistants throughout the school year in the CSBI schools using standardized fidelity monitoring sheets. The fidelity monitoring sheets were also completed by research assistants during observations in the BAU schools in order to identify the possible presence of any of the treatment elements in the control (BAU) schools. Outcome measures were completed for both groups at baseline (6 weeks into the school year prior to the initiation of the intervention) and at the end of the school year following completion of the intervention. Primary outcome measures included a test of emotion recognition and parent-teacher ratings of ASD symptoms and secondary measures included parent-teacher ratings of social/social-communication skills, a test of academic achievement skills, and a direct behavioral measure of social interaction skills (child testing and behavioral observations were completed by evaluators blinded to treatment condition; parent-teacher raters were not blinded to treatment condition). For the primary measures/analyses, it was hypothesized that students with HFASD who complete the CSBI will demonstrate significantly greater emotion-recognition skills and receive significantly lower parent-teacher ratings of ASD symptoms compared to controls. For the secondary measures/analyses, it was hypothesized that students with HFASD who complete the CSBI will receive significantly higher parent-teacher ratings of social/social-communication skills, demonstrate significantly higher academic skills, and exhibit significantly higher rates of social interactions with peers compared to controls.
Brexpiprazole in Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Irritability Associated With Autism...
Irritability Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)The purpose of this study is to find out about the potential benefits and safety of brexpiprazole in children and adolescent participants, aged 5 to 17, with irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder.
Mindfulness Training and Parent-coaching Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum DisorderParents1 moreCaregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) report higher levels of depression and distress than caregivers of typically developing children as well as children with other developmental disabilities. The proposed work tests a novel treatment paradigm that blends Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with an empirically supported and manualized parent training program (Parent-Implemented Early Start Denver Model [P-ESDM]). We hypothesize that directly treating parental distress, while simultaneously providing evidence-based parent training, may greatly enhance child-focused intervention and provide benefits that resonate across the family.
An Intervention Targeting Daily Adaptive Skills Through Executive Function Training for Adults With...
Autism Spectrum DisorderHigh-functioning Autism1 moreThe current study is a single group pilot study of a novel intervention program which targets improvements in executive functions and adaptive skills in transition age young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. The main aim of the study is to test the effectiveness of the intervention using a pretest-posttest comparison. It is hypothesised that there will be an increase in executive functions and adaptive skills after the intervention.
Mindfulness for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum DisorderThe current study examines the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to reduce parenting stress, lessen parental reactivity and negativity, and decrease child externalizing behaviors among families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The design is a randomized controlled trial of 138 families of preschool-aged children with ASD. Parents of children with ASD will be randomized to MBSR or to a Psychoeducational (PE) support control group matched for clinical contact and dosage (see details on interventions below). Families will participate in laboratory assessments at baseline and immediately post-treatment, as well as at 6 months and 12 months post-treatment. Measures include standardized and validated parent and teacher questionnaires, gold-standard psychological assessments, and observational and interview ratings.
A Study to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Food Effect...
Autistic DisorderAutism Spectrum Disorder4 moreThis study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of single- and multiple-ascending doses (SAD (Part 1) and MAD (Part 2)) and food effect (FE) of RO6953958 following oral administration in healthy male participants. Part 3 (Drug-drug interaction (DDI)) will assess the safety, tolerability, and effect of RO6953958 on the PK of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A substrate midazolam.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Intranasal Oxytocin as an Adjunct to Behavioral Therapy for Autism...
Autism Spectrum DisordersThis 3-year study is a trial of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with or without oxytocin (OT) augmentation, in young adults with autism spectrum disorders. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a social skills-focused CBT intervention or a stress management/relaxation training CBT intervention. Participants will also be randomized to receive either a) intranasal oxytocin or b) a placebo drug, prior to the psychotherapy. The design of the study will enable examination of the efficacy of CBT for young adults with autism spectrum disorders. The design of the study will also allow examination of whether oxytocin enhances the efficacy of CBT. The investigators will perform functional (fMRI) and structural (MRI) imaging with all participants prior to treatment. This will enable examination of the relations between measures of brain function and structure, and improvements in target symptoms over the course of treatment. The aim is to discover whether there are neural characteristics that can identify which participants with autism spectrum disorders are most likely to respond to CBT interventions and/or oxytocin treatment.