Can a customized talk therapy lift depression in autistic teens?
NCT ID NCT07755137
First seen Aug 10, 2026 · Last updated Aug 11, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial is testing whether a specially adapted form of cognitive behavioral therapy, called CBT-DAY, can reduce depressive symptoms in autistic youth aged 11 to 17. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either CBT-DAY or standard care, and researchers will compare changes in depression severity, anxiety, and emotional coping over several months. The goal is to see if this tailored approach is both practical and effective in real-world clinical settings.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Autistic Youth (CBT-DAY), a 12-week autism-adapted therapy
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this therapy could offer a practical, non-drug option to reduce depression in autistic teens, improving their emotional well-being and daily functioning.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early feasibility study, so results may not be conclusive. The therapy requires verbal ability and may not work for all autistic youth, and benefits may not last beyond the follow-up period.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States
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