Our long-term goal is to validate Regulating Together (emotion regulation intervention) and improve psychosocial outcomes for youth with autism spectrum disorder and emotion dysregulation.
144 children ages 8-12 years old with autism spectrum disorder will be enrolled in the study and randomized to Regulating Together (RT) or Achieving Independence and Mastery in School (AIMS) groups. Participants will complete assessments at five time points: Screen (T1) Week 0 - where they will complete consent; Baseline (T2); Week 7: Post Active Treatment (includes semi-structured interviews) (T3); Week 16: Post Generalization (T4); Week 29: Final outcome visit (T5). Participants will receive 5 weeks of intervention, twice per week, following the T2 visit.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
144
Regulating Together is an intensive outpatient group treatment targeting emotion dysregulation. It engages both caregivers and children and utilizes evidence-based intervention techniques including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), visuals, reinforcements, and scaffolding, and newer interventions such as mindfulness and acceptance-based therapy.
AIMS is a school-based program developed to help students with social-communication challenges (such as autism spectrum disorder) achieve academic success. It is well-established and has been used with autistic youth, both in schools and in outpatient settings.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Emotion Dysregulation Inventory- Reactivity
13-item parent report measure that captures negative emotional responses and Dysphoria characterized by increased negative affect and lack of motivation. Higher scores mean higher emotional reactivity.
Time frame: Through study completion, about 29 weeks
Children's Organizational Skills Scale (COSS)
Used to measure outcomes from AIMS intervention. It is a rating scale completed by parents and teachers which yields three factors measuring Organized Actions, Task Planning, and Memory and Materials Management. Higher scores mean higher organizational skills.
Time frame: Through study completion, about 29 weeks
Daily Phone Diary
Phone interview administered by staff that documents Frequency and Intensity of Behavioral and Emotional Outbursts over a 2 day period.
Time frame: Through study completion, about 29 weeks
Inpatient Hospitalization Rates
chart review and caregiver report for any psychiatric hospitalizations
Time frame: during the 6 months prior to enrollment in the study and during the 6 months after completion of the individualized consult
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.