Coaching caregivers to help autistic kids thrive in daily life
NCT ID NCT05551728
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether training caregivers of young autistic children (18–72 months) in South Africa can improve the child's communication and daily living skills. Non-specialist coaches teach caregivers strategies they can use during everyday activities. The goal is to support better development and quality of life for autistic children and their families.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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
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About 320 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Apr 2023
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 72 months
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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's age is 18-72 months * Child meets DSM-5 criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), informed by Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) * Child's caregiver speaks isiXhosa, isiZulu, Afrikaans, or English * Child's race is African or Coloured (South African term for mixed race) * Caregiver-child dyad live in recruitment area * Caregiver is ≥18 years Exclusion Criteria: * Genetic disorder of known etiology (e.g., fragile X syndrome) * Significant sensory or motor impairment that would preclude use of the play materials * Major physical abnormalities that would interfere with participation in the intervention * History of serious head injury and/or neurological disease * Caregiver indicates they will be unable to attend assessments and 12 sessions
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Cape Town
RECRUITINGCape Town, West Cape, South Africa
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