AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

This study is testing a redesigned training program to help elementary school teachers better support autistic students with behavioral skills. Researchers will compare a new version of the program against the original to see if it's easier for teachers to use and if it helps imp…

This 2-year study is testing whether adding monthly stem cell infusions to a standard glutathione therapy helps improve autism symptoms in children more than the standard therapy alone. About 100 children ages 3-12 with autism will be randomly assigned to receive either the stand…

This 10-week study is testing how well a common ADHD medication (Adderall XR) works for children and teens who have both autism and ADHD. Researchers will use brain scans and symptom checklists to see if the medication improves attention and reduces hyperactivity, and whether it …

This study compares whether a behavioral therapy for autism works better when delivered at a treatment center versus in the child's home. Researchers will enroll 120 young children with autism and significant language delay to receive 16 weeks of therapy in one of these settings …

This study is testing whether a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment called rTMS can help reduce symptoms of depression in young people (ages 16-35) who also have autism. Participants will receive either the real magnetic stimulation treatment or a sham (placebo) version for …

This study is testing if a telehealth program focused on daily living skills helps autistic high school students become more independent. Researchers will compare it to a different telehealth program focused on social skills. The goal is to see which approach better prepares teen…

This study is watching what happens when children with conditions like cerebral palsy, autism, or genetic disorders go through a special two-week therapy program. Kids aged 4-12 get about 2.5 hours of personalized therapy each day, focusing on movement, senses, attention, and com…

This study is testing if virtual family support sessions can help rural families in North Carolina get their young child (under age 4) into autism therapy faster after a diagnosis. It will compare families who receive four virtual coaching sessions with a trained guide to familie…

This study aims to learn if a ketogenic diet (a high-fat, low-carb diet) is a safe and effective treatment for children with hard-to-treat conditions like epilepsy, autism, migraines, or brain tumors. Researchers will follow 100 children under 18 who are already on this diet to s…

This 3-year study is testing a new remote therapy program called STAR, designed to help parents learn skills to support their toddlers with autism. The trial will compare the STAR program, delivered online, to standard community care. Researchers aim to see if this accessible, pa…

This early-stage study is testing whether transferring healthy gut bacteria from a donor (a fecal microbiota transplant) can improve both gastrointestinal problems and core autism symptoms. It will involve 60 participants aged 7-30 with autism and gut issues. Researchers aim to s…

This study is testing whether coaching parents through video calls is as effective as in-person coaching for improving social and communication skills in toddlers with autism or similar delays. Researchers will work with 188 families, providing twice-weekly coaching sessions for …

This study is testing whether a treatment using a child's own bone marrow cells can help improve movement and reduce muscle stiffness in children with cerebral palsy caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. It will involve 58 children aged 1 to 10. One group will get the cell tre…

This large observational study follows 4,000 patients who received fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to treat various gut conditions and autism. Researchers will track how well the treatment works and monitor safety over 1 to 5 years after the procedure. The goal is to under…

This study aims to find the best order for parents to learn two different skills to help their young child with autism. It will test whether to start with a social communication program or a behavior management program first, and then adjust the second program based on how well t…

This early-stage study is testing whether transplanting healthy gut bacteria from donors into children with autism can help improve their symptoms. Researchers believe the gut and brain are connected and that fixing gut problems might help with autism behaviors. The study will gi…

This study is testing whether a proven trauma therapy can be successfully adapted for autistic youth in real-world community mental health clinics. It will enroll 24 autistic children and teens with trauma symptoms, along with their therapists. The main goal is to see if this mod…

This study is exploring whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique can improve thinking problems and mood in people with several brain-based conditions. Researchers will use a magnetic coil placed on the head to stimulate a part of the brain called the cerebellum in 200 p…

This study is testing if using a person's favorite way to communicate (like a tablet app or picture cards) helps reduce challenging behaviors more effectively and for longer than a less-preferred method. It involves 60 people with autism or intellectual disabilities who have litt…

This study is testing a 12-week early intervention program to help improve social communication skills in young children with developmental disorders like autism. The program involves 12 hours per week of intensive activities, delivered either in a center-based preschool setting …

This study compares how well different ADHD medications work for children who also have autism. Researchers will test two common stimulant medications first, then try other options if needed, involving 500 children ages 4-17. The goal is to help doctors choose the right medicatio…

This is a small, early-stage study to see if psilocybin (a psychedelic compound) combined with therapy is safe and tolerable for autistic adults with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments. Twenty participants will receive two doses of psilocybin alongside therapy s…

This study is testing a 6-month telehealth program designed to teach parents of children with autism how to help manage their child's weight. It will compare this behavioral program to a general health education course. Researchers will follow 150 families for 18 months to see wh…

This study is testing whether a hormone nasal spray called oxytocin can improve bone strength in children with autism. About 96 children, aged 6 to 18, will use either the oxytocin spray or a placebo spray twice daily for a year, followed by a period where everyone gets the oxyto…

This study is testing a short, 8-item questionnaire called the AMSE to see if it can accurately identify autism in adults before they undergo a full, lengthy specialist evaluation. The goal is to help reduce long wait times at expert centers by allowing non-specialist doctors to …

This study is testing a new screening tool called SenseToKnow to see how well it can detect autism in children 16 to 36 months old. Parents will use an app on a device to collect information while their child watches videos. The tool's results will be compared to a doctor's exper…

This study is testing whether a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique can help reduce social anxiety and improve communication skills in adults with autism. Participants will receive two blocks of five stimulation sessions while practicing social tasks, with researcher…

This study is testing a chatbot program designed to improve mental well-being and reduce stress for parents and caregivers of children with autism. The program delivers positive psychology exercises through a conversational app. Researchers will enroll 130 caregivers to see if us…

This study is testing whether the prescription sleep medication zolpidem can help children and teenagers with autism who have trouble sleeping. Researchers will compare the effects of the real medication to a placebo (inactive pill) over 8 weeks. They will measure changes in slee…

This study is testing whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique can improve motor function in autistic adults. Researchers will use repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on 100 autistic adults with significant movement difficulties to see if it reduces over…

This study is testing whether a gentle, non-invasive form of electrical brain stimulation can help children with autism learn better during their regular therapy. Researchers will combine the stimulation with standard behavioral therapy to see if it improves thinking skills and c…

This study is testing whether a playful physiotherapy program can help children with ADHD or autism spectrum disorder better regulate their emotions and improve their daily life. It involves 25 children aged 7-12 who will participate in group activities focused on movement and pl…

This study is testing whether a daily probiotic supplement can help reduce core autism symptoms and improve quality of life in children. Over 12 weeks, 110 children aged 7 to 15 will take either the probiotic blend or a placebo. Researchers will measure changes in autism symptoms…

This study is testing whether adding a fun, game-like biofeedback system to regular play therapy helps children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) better manage their emotions and improve social skills. Sixty-eight children, aged 6-10, will be randomly assigned to receive either…

This study is testing whether a non-psychoactive compound from the cannabis plant, called cannabidivarin (CBDV), can safely reduce irritability and repetitive behaviors in children with autism. It will involve 100 children and teens aged 5 to 18, comparing CBDV to a placebo over …

This Yale University study is testing whether a safe, noninvasive brain stimulation technique can improve how the brain processes social information in adults with autism. Researchers will measure brain activity and eye movements before and after a single stimulation session to s…

This study is testing if propranolol, a medication often used for high blood pressure, can help reduce severe aggression, self-injury, and disruptive behaviors in teens and adults with autism. Sixty participants will take either the real drug or a placebo pill daily for 12 weeks,…

This study is testing a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS to see if it can help reduce depression in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It will involve 25 participants who have both ASD and depression. Researchers will measure changes in mood, irritabi…

This study is testing if a medication called pimavanserin can help reduce rigid, repetitive behaviors in teens and adults with autism. About 30 participants will first try a single dose of either the drug or a placebo, then all will take the drug for six weeks. The main goal is t…

This study compares two supplement approaches—Vita 6 versus zinc—when used alongside standard behavioral therapy to help manage autism symptoms in children aged 3-14. Researchers want to see which option is more effective and safer at reducing symptom severity. The trial involves…

This study is testing whether playing pickleball twice a week for 8 weeks can help improve sensory-motor skills and reduce core autism symptoms in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Researchers will enroll 50 adults aged 18-45 and compare those who start pickleball immediately…

This study is testing whether a 10-week group program called SDARI, which uses drama-based games and activities, can help autistic young adults (ages 18-30) improve their social connections and well-being. Researchers will compare the program group to a control group doing other …

This study is testing whether a prescription sleep medication called suvorexant helps teens with autism who have trouble falling or staying asleep. Researchers will compare the medication to a placebo (inactive pill) in 26 participants over 8 weeks. They'll measure sleep quality …

This study is testing a specialized speech therapy for children who have both autism and a motor speech disorder called Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), which makes planning speech movements difficult. Researchers will work with 20 minimally verbal children, using a play-based …

This study is testing whether a single dose of the nutritional supplement N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can help reduce restricted and repetitive behaviors in children with autism. Researchers will measure changes in brain chemistry and activity using MRI and EEG scans to understand how…

This study is testing whether special behavioral strategies can help autistic patients who get very upset during needle procedures like blood draws or shots. Researchers at Boston Medical Center will work with about 10 autistic patients and their caregivers to see if these techni…

This study is testing whether a special type of story can make dental visits easier for young autistic children. Researchers are using illustrated 'social stories' that explain what happens at the dentist step-by-step to help kids know what to expect. The trial will see if childr…

This study is testing a new digital therapy app called NDTx-02 to see if it can safely help improve thinking and planning skills in children aged 5-12 with ADHD or autism. About 48 children will be randomly assigned to either use the app along with their usual care right away, or…

This study is testing whether a short, two-week program can help children with autism who also have trouble sleeping. The program combines supervised aerobic exercise for the child with sleep coaching for their parents. Researchers will measure if this approach improves the child…

This study is testing whether parents can learn online coaching techniques to help reduce their autistic child's rigid, repetitive behaviors and anxiety. Researchers will work with 30 families of children aged 6-10 to teach parents specific strategies through telehealth sessions.…

This study aims to find out which of two common talk therapies works better for autistic adults struggling with depression or anxiety. Researchers will compare Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBT), both delivered online, in 300 adults from North …

This study is testing if esomeprazole, a common heartburn medicine, can help improve social communication skills in young children with autism. It will involve 25 children aged 2 to 6 years old who will take the medicine for 12 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in social ab…

This study is testing whether a common probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) can help reduce stomach and bowel problems in children with autism. Researchers will enroll 50 children aged 4-12 who have both autism and ongoing gastrointestinal issues. The main goal is to see if the…

This study is testing if a specific parenting program can help reduce stress and improve skills for parents of young children (ages 2-6) with autism. Researchers will compare a 13-week group program to a standard 3-day workshop to see which is more effective at lowering parent st…

This study is testing whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a nutritional supplement, can reduce the severity of restricted and repetitive behaviors in children with autism. Researchers will enroll 144 children aged 3-12 in a 12-week trial where some receive NAC and others receive a pl…

This study is testing whether an online training course can effectively teach parents of young children with autism a specific therapy technique called Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT). Researchers want to see if parents can learn to use PRT correctly at home and if this leads to…

This study is testing a 16-week physical activity program called PACE for adults with intellectual disabilities. The program includes weekly group fitness classes, coaching sessions, and online resources. Researchers want to see if it helps participants become more active, improv…

This study is testing whether cannabidiol (CBD), a compound from the cannabis plant, can help reduce anxiety, mood problems, and challenging behaviors in adults with autism. Over 14 weeks, 40 participants will try both CBD pills and inactive placebo pills to see which one works b…

This study is testing whether a clip-on ear device that gently stimulates a nerve can help ease symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Twenty participants, aged 7 to 26, will use the device at home for one hour a day over two weeks. Researchers will check if the treatment is…

This study is testing a new online therapy program called DINOSAUR, designed to help reduce anxiety in young children (ages 4-6) who have autism. The program uses a form of talk therapy adapted for kids with autism and is delivered to families over video calls. Researchers want t…

This study is testing whether a special light therapy headband can help reduce symptoms of autism in young children. Researchers will compare the effects of the real light treatment to a fake (sham) treatment in 80 children aged 2 to 8. The goal is to see if the therapy improves …

This study is testing whether a special cannabis oil can help reduce behavioral challenges and improve social skills in children with autism. For the first two months, some children will receive the oil while others get a placebo, and then all children will receive an active trea…

This study is testing whether a specific sensory technique can help children with autism improve their motor skills and sleep quality. About 40 children, aged 6 to 10, will receive the technique—which involves gentle brushing and joint compressions—three times a week for six week…

This study is testing if a simple, visual story guide can help children with autism feel less anxious and be more cooperative when they need anesthesia for surgery. Researchers will compare children who review these 'Social Stories' with their families before surgery to those who…

This study is testing whether diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in Benadryl) can help children with autism spectrum disorder who have trouble sleeping. Researchers will compare the sleep medicine to a placebo in 26 children and teens over 8 weeks, measuring how quickly they …

This study is testing whether adding therapy dogs to a group treatment program helps children with autism spectrum disorder manage emotional outbursts better than the same program without dogs. Researchers will compare two versions of the 'Regulating Together' program—one with do…

This study is testing a new therapy program called TUNE In, designed to help adults with autism spectrum disorder improve their social functioning. The program teaches skills for understanding emotions, reducing social anxiety, and navigating social interactions. Researchers will…

This study is testing a new way to help children with disabilities get more out of their therapy. Researchers want to see if letting kids help set their own therapy goals, using a method called ENGAGE, leads to better results than the usual approach where therapists and parents s…

This study is testing a single dose of an investigational medicine called MM402 in about 20 adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The main goal is to see if the medicine can help improve difficulties with socializing and communication. Researchers will measure how participa…

This study is testing a job support program designed to help autistic adults find and keep competitive jobs in their community. Researchers will work with 60 unemployed autistic adults aged 18-40 and their employment agencies to see if the program is practical, well-liked, and ef…

This study aims to understand how the brain processes speech in noisy environments, specifically in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fragile X Syndrome. Researchers will measure brain activity in 60 participants aged 15-35 using a special cap while they listen to sou…

This study aims to understand how magnetic brain stimulation affects brain activity related to social understanding in young adults with autism. Researchers will use a non-invasive technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) while participants play a social game duri…

This study aims to better understand how autism affects children's movement and coordination. Researchers will measure motor skills like walking, drawing, and eye movements in 110 children aged 6-11, comparing those with and without autism. The goal is to identify patterns that m…

This study is testing whether a new program called FSPI is practical to use in real preschools. The program helps teachers and parents work together to support young children who show early signs of autism, like social and communication delays. Researchers will see if schools can…

This study aims to better understand how specific genetic changes affect people's health and development over time. Researchers will observe and collect information from up to 1,000 individuals who have a confirmed genetic variant linked to conditions like autism, developmental d…

This study aims to better understand sleep problems in preschool-aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Researchers will observe 200 children aged 18-60 months with ASD, collecting information about their sleep patterns and measuring their blood levels of vitamin D an…

This study aims to understand if a common, exaggerated speaking style parents use with babies helps autistic toddlers learn new words. Researchers will observe 100 children, with and without autism, as they watch videos and interact with an adult using this style. The main goal i…

This research study aims to understand how stimulating two specific areas of the cerebellum (a part of the brain) affects social skills and flexible thinking. Researchers will use non-invasive brain stimulation and MRI scans on 80 young adults, both with and without autism, to se…

This study aims to understand how a 16-week social skills training program affects the brain in teenagers with autism or schizophrenia. Researchers will use MRI brain scans before and after the training to see if brain connections and chemistry change. They will compare these tee…

This study aims to find out if boys with a rare genetic brain disorder called creatine transporter deficiency (CTD) share similar facial features. Researchers will analyze photos of 19 males with CTD, aged 2 to 40, who are already part of a related NIH study. The goal is to ident…

This study aims to better understand balance problems in children with autism. Researchers will use a virtual reality system to precisely measure how 50 children, aged 6 to 10, stand still. They will also check the children's thinking skills to see if balance and brain function a…

This study aims to better understand autism by looking at how the brain is structured and functions. Researchers will use MRI brain scans and eye-tracking technology to see how children and young adults with autism process social information. The goal is to find patterns that cou…

This study aims to understand the relationship between hearing processing difficulties, sleep problems, and other traits in children and teens with autism. Researchers will compare two groups: those with and without a specific hearing processing disorder. Participants will comple…

This is an observational study aiming to understand how brain development relates to impulsive and compulsive behaviors. Researchers will enroll 1,100 people aged 6 to 80, including those with typical development and conditions like ADHD, OCD, and autism. They will use interviews…

This study aims to find out if brain scans can predict which young children with autism will benefit most from a specific speech therapy. Researchers will scan the brains of 36 children aged 2-5 with autism and language delays. Half will receive the therapy immediately, while the…

This French study aims to create an online database to better understand how specific genetic changes affect people with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders. Researchers are recruiting 1,000 family members of affected individuals to complete questionnaires about…

This study aims to understand how a specific brain chemical (GABA) and brain connections relate to how people with autism process sound and language. Researchers will use brain scans and a safe, non-invasive magnetic stimulation technique on adolescents with autism and healthy yo…

This research study aims to understand how motor and sensory skills develop in children with autism and their families. Researchers will follow infants at higher likelihood for autism and compare motor skills in autistic children, their parents, and typically developing families.…

This study aims to understand the genetic factors involved in autism spectrum disorder. Researchers will analyze blood samples from 3,800 participants, including people with autism and their family members, to look for patterns in specific brain-related genes. The goal is to map …

This study aims to understand the biological causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by collecting cells from 100 children with autism. Researchers will turn these cells into specialized brain cells in the lab to study their behavior and chemical makeup. The goal is to create a …