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Purpose

This pilot study is funded by the Organization for Autism Research (OAR). We are conducting a pilot study to improve mental health treatment for autistic individuals. First, we will conduct remote focus groups to identify barriers to mental health treatment and methods to improve treatment. Based on results, we will develop a prototype of a resource for therapists. This resource will be pilot tested in a community clinic.

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 13 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

for clients: - A confirmed diagnosis of autism - Between 13 and 17 years old - Fluent in English - Have a co-occurring mental health condition that is appropriate for treatment at the community clinic participating in the proposed study

Exclusion Criteria

N/A All therapists working at the community clinic at which this study takes place will be eligible to participate.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Masking Description
In the clinical trial, the 12 autistic clients will be masked to their and their their therapist's condition. The 6 therapists will know whether they are randomized to the intervention or treatment as usual (TAU) group.

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Treatment as usual 		Clients will continue to receive psychotherapy
  • Behavioral: Treatment as Usual (TAU)
    Clients randomized to this condition will continue to receive psychotherapy in a community clinic
Experimental
Enhanced Psychotherapy 		Clients will receive psychotherapy from therapists who have access to a toolkit that reviews ways to adapt evidence-based interventions for autistic clients.
  • Behavioral: Enhanced Psychotherapy
    Clients randomized to the Enhanced Psychotherapy group will receive psychotherapy from therapists who have access to a toolkit that reviews strategies for tailoring evidence-based therapy to improve mental health treatment for autistic individuals.

Recruiting Locations

Florida International University
Miami, Florida 33199
Contact:
Yael Dai, PhD
305-348-1034
ydai@fiu.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Florida International University

Study Contact

Yael Dai, PhD
13053481034
ydai@fiu.edu

Detailed Description

Research Design: During Phase I of the study, the investigators propose to conduct remote focus groups with autistic individuals (n=15) and with licensed therapists (n=15) in order to identify barriers to mental health treatment for autistic individuals, as well as ways to improve mental health treatment. Based on this information, the study team will develop a prototype of a therapist-facing toolkit that will include strategies for adapting evidence-based treatments when working with autistic individuals. In Phase II of the study, 6 therapists treating autistic clients (n=12) in a community clinic will be randomized to continue treatment as usual or to receive access to the toolkit. Study investigators will collect pilot data to explore whether the toolkit (1) improves therapist knowledge of autism and confidence treating mental health conditions in autistic people, (2) is acceptable to therapists, and (3) improves the acceptability and efficacy of mental health care for autistic adolescents.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.