Can a tailored therapy ease anxiety and depression in autistic teens?
NCT ID NCT05738967
First seen Sep 21, 2026 · Last updated Sep 21, 2026
Summary
Researchers are testing a cognitive behavioral therapy program designed for autistic teens who have anxiety, depression, or both. The therapy focuses on exposure and behavioral activation, with adjustments for autism. Teens and their caregivers take part together. The trial compares this approach with usual community care to see which works better.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- A cognitive behavioral therapy program adapted for autistic teens, focused on exposure therapy and behavioral activation
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could give families a therapy designed specifically for autistic teens with anxiety or depression, rather than adapting standard approaches.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is small and early, so results may not hold up in larger groups. Therapy takes time and effort from both teens and caregivers, and not everyone responds to CBT.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
47 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Mar 2023
- Finished
-
May 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
10 to 17 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Child is between the ages of 12-17 at consent/assent. * The child meets criteria for autism spectrum disorder using evidence-based assessment approaches (e.g., Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition; Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition). * The child meets criteria for clinically significant anxiety and/or depression symptoms based on elevated scores on the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale modified for Autism Spectrum Disorder (\>11) and/or the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (\>39). * Anxiety/depressive disorder is the primary presenting problem as determined by administration of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview * One parent/guardian is able and willing to participate. * The parent/guardian is 18 years or older. * Both parent and child can read and/or understand English. * Both parent and child reside in Texas. Exclusion Criteria: * The child has a diagnosis of psychotic disorder and/or conduct disorder. * The child has severe suicidal/homicidal ideation and/or self-injury requiring immediate intervention and/or a higher level of care. * The child has limited verbal communication abilities. * The child is receiving concurrent psychotherapy for anxiety/depression. * The child has initiated psychotropic medications within 12 weeks of assessments (or 4 weeks for stimulants/benzodiazepines) or during therapy, and/or has changed dosage of psychotropic medication within 6 weeks of assessment (or 2 weeks for stimulants/benzodiazepines) or during therapy.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Anxiety are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
Baylor Psychiatry Clinic
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Gut bacteria may hold clues to dozens of diseases
- VR headset may calm kids before heart procedure
- Can a Text-Message program help trauma survivors avoid PTSD and depression?
- Can a website help young people understand depression?
- Could a whiff of xenon replace the Pre-Surgery chill pill?
- Can a pencil and paper calm anxious teens with diabetes?