Autism

This study tests two approaches—lifestyle medicine consultations and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—to reduce cardiovascular risk in autistic individuals aged 9 to 26 who have a high body mass index. Participants are randomly assigned to receive lifestyle coaching, CBT sessio…

This study will test whether living in a self-contained, AI-managed community (called a Microcity) can improve mental health and reduce addiction in adults with conditions like autism, ADHD, substance use disorders, and behavioral addictions. Up to 1 million participants will liv…

This study compares a semi-intensive therapy program (8 hours per week at a center plus online parent training) to the standard intensive program (15 hours per week) for young children with autism. The goal is to see if the remote approach works just as well for improving develop…

This study tests whether everolimus, a drug already approved for other conditions, can safely improve social abilities in people with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS). About 60 adults and children with PHTS and social difficulties will take either everolimus or a placebo for …

This study tests a short case management program for people who have been involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric hospital. The program, designed with input from people who have experienced coercion, provides up to five sessions with a nurse or social worker starting during the h…

The ROOT study is testing a personalized nutrition program for pregnant women. Participants receive standard prenatal care plus customized diet and lifestyle plans based on their genes and nutrient levels. The goal is to see if this approach can lower the chances of preterm birth…

This study looks at whether a program called EMPOWER, led by trained peer supporters, can help homeless veterans with substance use or mental health issues stay engaged in care and avoid repeated hospital stays or emergency visits. About 278 veterans in permanent supportive housi…

This pilot study tests whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) capsules can improve gut symptoms like constipation and diarrhea in children with autism, and possibly help their behavior. Twenty children aged 6-12 will be randomly assigned to receive either FMT capsules or …

This study tests whether a simple saliva swab can find genetic causes of neurodevelopmental or intellectual disorders when standard blood tests have not. Researchers will use advanced DNA sequencing on cheek cells from 50 participants. The goal is to improve diagnosis and help gu…

This study aims to validate a French translation of the SOSI-M test, which measures sensory integration in children. Researchers will film 60 children (30 healthy, 30 with mild to moderate neurodevelopmental disorders) taking the test and compare scores. The goal is to see if the…

This study tests a language intervention called Milieu Teaching-AV for infants aged 6-12 months who have an older sibling with autism, putting them at higher risk for autism or language delays. The intervention encourages babies to look at caregivers' faces and mouths during play…

This study tests whether virtual reality (VR) exercises can improve attention, memory, and thinking skills in children with autism aged 4 to 6. Thirty children will be split into two groups: one using VR training and the other using traditional paper-and-pencil activities. The go…

This study tests whether ganaxolone, a drug already approved for certain seizures, can reduce irritability in autistic children aged 5 to 17. About 66 participants will receive either the drug or a placebo for 12 weeks. The main goal is to see if it improves emotional regulation …

This early-phase trial tests whether the steroid prednisone can improve core autism symptoms in 32 adult males with an immune-mediated subtype of autism. Participants take prednisone or a placebo daily for 16 weeks, with regular check-ins and questionnaires. The goal is to see if…

This study tests whether photobiomodulation (a type of light therapy) can improve core autism symptoms like social interaction, communication, and behavior in 30 children aged 2 to 6. Participants will receive standard therapies plus light therapy. Researchers will measure change…

This study tests whether a type of cognitive training called Action-Based Cognitive Remediation (ABCR) can improve thinking skills in people with various psychiatric conditions like depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, PTSD, and autism. Participants will complete computer exercise…

This study compares two well-known early autism interventions, ESDM and PRT, to see which one helps young children with autism improve their communication skills more. Researchers will enroll 140 children aged 2 to 5 and randomly assign them to one of the two therapies for 24 wee…

This study tests a program called MENU that gives caregivers of young children (ages 2-5) practical tools while they wait for an autism evaluation. The program is tailored to each family's needs and includes strategies to improve caregiver mental health, child communication, and …

This study tests a short, guided self-help program designed to help parents of autistic children aged 6-17 feel less stressed and more compassionate toward themselves. About 6-8 parents will use a workbook and audio tracks, plus get weekly support calls over 13 weeks. The goal is…

This study tests an investigational drug called Omega-DEK plus L-carnitine in 34 children aged 3 to 6 with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). The study lasts 20 weeks and first gives everyone the treatment, then randomly assigns some to a placebo to see if the treatment helps mai…

This early study tests whether inhaling a gas called xenon for 10 minutes a day over 10 days can improve social functioning in children with autism. 72 children aged 4-18 will receive either xenon or a placebo. Researchers will check social skills right after treatment and again …

This study tests whether toe spread-out exercises, with or without walking on different surfaces, can improve foot arch support and jumping ability in children with autism who have flatfoot. Thirty-four children aged 7 to 12 will do the exercises three times a week for eight week…

This study tests whether buspirone, a medication used for anxiety, is safe and effective for autistic youth aged 7 to 17 who also have anxiety disorders. Researchers will measure changes in anxiety symptoms over 16 weeks. The goal is to see if this drug can ease anxiety in this s…

This study tests whether playing a virtual reality game called Electrical Maze can improve sustained attention in neurodivergent children aged 9 to 18, including those with autism, ADHD, or learning differences. Over 6 weeks, 40 participants will play the VR game twice a week for…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can reduce symptoms of ADHD and autism in children and teens aged 6-19. Participants will receive either real or sham (fake) stimulation over three weeks. The goal is to see if it is safe and if it im…

This study tests two ways to deliver a group training program for caregivers of children with autism in low-resource areas. The program aims to reduce caregiver stress and improve the child's communication and behavior. About 320 caregivers of children aged 2 to 8 will take part.…

This study tests whether a full-spectrum cannabis plant extract called NTI164 can help reduce core autism symptoms (like social challenges and repetitive behaviors) in children and young adults aged 6 to 25. About 98 participants will receive either NTI164 or a placebo for 16 wee…

This study tests whether the PEERS® program, a social skills training from the US, can help Italian teens aged 10-14 with autism make and keep friends. Thirty-six teens will either take the program or continue their usual care. Researchers will measure changes in social knowledge…

This early-stage study tests a group program called HEART for autistic adolescents aged 13 to 18. The program focuses on improving how teens understand and regulate their emotions. Researchers will check if the training is practical and helpful, using parent questionnaires to mea…

This study tests a version of the RUBI parent training program that has been adapted for Spanish-speaking families of autistic children aged 2 to 9. About 120 parents will join eight online group sessions to learn practical strategies for managing challenging behaviors. Researche…

This early-phase trial tests whether giving adults with autism a 6-week course of vancomycin followed by a fecal transplant from a close relative can improve social and language problems. Ten participants will be tracked for changes in autism symptoms, quality of life, and gut he…

This study tests a new program called CapExchange, where people with stable mental health conditions exchange practical skills with others in their community. The goal is to see if this approach is practical and helpful for improving well-being and social connection. About 10 to …

This study tests a mobile health program called FANS-EI that aims to support caregivers of young autistic children in staying engaged with early interventions. Researchers will measure caregiver comfort, participation, and sense of support. The study involves 28 caregiver-child p…

This study aims to adapt and validate a French version of the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), a questionnaire that measures how people feel about their own recovery from mental health conditions. Researchers will ask 260 adult psychiatric patients in France to fill out the RAS a…

This study will test whether using results from a sensory integration assessment can improve counseling for children aged 3-12 with neurodevelopmental problems like sensory sensitivity or coordination difficulties. Researchers will measure changes in sensory processing and daily …

Researchers at the University of Haifa are studying the ankles and Achilles tendons of 80 adults with autism to see if structural differences relate to sensory responsiveness and toe walking. Participants will undergo ultrasound and strength tests. This observational study aims t…

This study looks at whether a guided self-help workbook can help autistic adults feel better. Ten participants will use the workbook with a trained supporter over 4-6 sessions. They will fill out wellbeing questionnaires and share their thoughts in interviews. The goal is to see …

This study aims to collect blood samples from 450 people, including individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their relatives, and healthy controls. Researchers will isolate cells from the blood to study genetic factors and biological processes linked to autism. The goal i…

This pilot study will test whether autism can be diagnosed in toddlers (16-36 months) using a telehealth protocol, instead of an in-person visit. Researchers will enroll 100 children from Georgia's early intervention program who are at moderate or high risk for autism. The goal i…

This study looks at using simple, low-cost communication tools like picture boards and gestures for children with autism who have trouble speaking. It involves 500 children and their caregivers in rural Virginia and western Kenya. The goal is to find better ways to match each chi…

This study tests whether adding a career counseling program called Purposeful Pathways to standard job training helps veterans with mental health and substance use disorders find and keep quality jobs. About 254 veterans from three VA sites will take part. The goal is to improve …

This study tests a new computer-based training program designed to help autistic children ages 8-11 improve their thinking and problem-solving skills. The goal is to see if this training can reduce repetitive behaviors and improve daily functioning. 95 children will be randomly a…

This study will use a digital platform with game-like tasks to measure thinking and reading skills in 300 children aged 3-11 who are suspected of having a neurodevelopmental disorder. The goal is to create detailed cognitive profiles before a formal diagnosis, helping to identify…

This pilot study will develop and test a toolkit that helps therapists tailor mental health treatment for autistic individuals. Researchers will first hold focus groups to understand barriers, then create a resource for therapists. The toolkit will be tested with 18 autistic teen…

This study tests a new training program called CIPP-A for pediatric providers who care for autistic youth at risk of suicide. About 70 providers will be randomly assigned to learn either the new program or a standard safety planning approach. Researchers will measure how often pr…

This study looks at how the brains of children with Williams syndrome and autism differ, focusing on social and thinking skills. Researchers will compare 75 children aged 3-12 from three groups: those with Williams syndrome, those with autism, and typically developing kids. No tr…

This study will test a tool called the Health Improvement Profile (HIP) in a mental health inpatient unit. The HIP is a checklist that helps clinicians spot physical health problems like high blood pressure or poor diet in people being treated for mental illness. Researchers will…

This study looks at whether a parent training program can help autistic toddlers (ages 12-36 months) learn to manage their emotions. Researchers will work with 40 families and early intervention providers to see if the program is practical and helpful. The goal is to improve supp…

This study looks at 48 teenagers with autism who were checked for psychotic symptoms 10 years ago. Researchers want to see how their mental health and daily functioning are now. They will compare those who had early signs of psychosis with those who did not, using interviews and …

This study aims to better understand psychiatric disorders, thinking problems, and treatment side effects in 2000 cancer patients and their close relatives. Researchers will compare those with and without mental health issues to find patterns and improve care. No new treatments a…

This study looks at how children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) process visual information over very short time intervals. Researchers will use eye-tracking tasks to measure how quickly children with ASD can integrate separate images into one and how fast they can shift atte…

This study looks at whether adding decoding and encoding practice to the ALLSTAR literacy program helps children with complex communication needs learn to read better. Sixty children aged 5-12 who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) will be split into two groups:…

This study will check how much psychiatric clients know about occupational therapy (OT) and whether their expectations are realistic. It will also evaluate how well OT interns explain health information and conduct interviews. Researchers will develop new tools to measure these s…

This study looks at whether chemicals and other substances in a mother's body during pregnancy can help predict if her child will develop autism. Researchers will use stored urine and cord blood samples from 600 first-time mothers. The goal is to build a model that could estimate…

This study tests two different approaches for bringing autistic people and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers together to discuss research priorities. One approach uses a restorative justice framework to ensure autistic voices are heard and respected. The goal is to find b…

This study looks at 27 children with autism to see if how they process sensory information is related to tightness in their ankle muscles, which can cause toe-walking. Researchers will measure ankle flexibility and have parents fill out a detailed questionnaire about their child'…