Comparing Two Different Emotion Therapies for Autistic Youth and Young Adults

Description

Too few clinicians are able and willing to help autistic patients. A recent review identified challenges to mental health service delivery in autism, including a lack of interventions designed for community implementation and limited workforce capacity. It has been argued that improving impairment in emotion regulation has the potential to improve a range of mental health difficulties in autistic people. In this clinical trial, the investigators are comparing two evidence-based interventions for emotion regulation, to determine if one created specifically for autistic people is clinically superior. The interventions will be implemented in the community, through partnering agencies.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Too few clinicians are able and willing to help autistic patients. A recent review identified challenges to mental health service delivery in autism, including a lack of interventions designed for community implementation and limited workforce capacity. It has been argued that improving impairment in emotion regulation has the potential to improve a range of mental health difficulties in autistic people. In this clinical trial, the investigators are comparing two evidence-based interventions for emotion regulation, to determine if one created specifically for autistic people is clinically superior. The interventions will be implemented in the community, through partnering agencies.

The Emotion Awareness and Skills Enhancement (EASE) Program Versus the Unified Protocol (UP)

Comparing Two Different Emotion Therapies for Autistic Youth and Young Adults

Condition
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Tuscaloosa

University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States, 35401

Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * professional diagnosis of ASD
  • * a score in the clinical range on the EDI-Reactivity or EDI-Dysphoria scale based on caregiver report or self-report
  • * communicative ability (verbal or nonverbal)
  • * Clinician judgment that person could meaningfully participate and potentially benefit
  • * A caregiver or other adult with consistent contact who can complete assessments
  • * Client must live in Alabama or Pennsylvania
  • * acute psychosis
  • * imminent suicide/homicide threat
  • * intoxication
  • * mania

Ages Eligible for Study

12 Years to 25 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Pittsburgh,

Carla Mazefsky, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Pittsburgh

Susan White, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Study Record Dates

2027-08-01