Autism

This clinical trial aims to explore the effect of Vitamin B6 supplementation on anxiety sensory hyperreactivity in autistic adults. Researchers will compare a placebo group to high-dose Vitamin-B6 to see if vitamin B6 reduce anxiety and sensory reactivity differences in autism.

The present study will be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of peer modeling and audiovisual peer modeling video on toothbrushing skills in comparison to the visual pedagogical method at home. To monitor the improvement of teeth brushing skills in children with ASD using plaque and gingival indices.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of the MapHabit System on autistic transition-age youth (ages 18-24) as they navigate key life transitions including graduating from high school, entering adult services, pursuing employment or education, and community-based living.

This study is a caregiver support program for family caregivers of autistic young adults (ages 18 to 26) as their family members navigate young adulthood. The program includes six 60-minute virtual sessions focused on making sense of caregiving roles during young adulthood, reflecting on everyday family experiences, supporting decision-making within families, deciding when and how to share experiences with others, and thinking about the future.

This is a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study investigating the efficacy of a full-spectrum medicinal cannabis plant extract on core and associated ASD symptoms over placebo. Participants will be randomly allocated to either NTI164 or placebo at a 1:1 ratio and blood samples will be collected and surveys completed at baseline and Week 16. This study will expand efficacy and safety data of NTI164 and provide additional mechanism of action data of NTI164 in this patient cohort.

The purpose of this protocol is to allow for the careful evaluation of healthy volunteers and individuals with risk for psychiatric disorders or neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder for specific protocols at NIH.

The number of individuals receiving an autism diagnosis is increasing, particularly among individuals without co-occurring intellectual disability. This group does not always present with stereotypically autistic characteristics. Instead, the cognitive mechanisms underlying autistic functioning often manifest in less apparent difficulties, such as difficulties with self-acceptance, low self-esteem, stress-related problems, low energy, or anxiety. At the same time, this group is highly heterogeneous in terms of abilities and difficulties, and consequently, their needs also vary. Over the past decades, it has become increasingly evident that autistic adults have substantial needs for support for psychological distress, while healthcare services have difficulties meeting these needs. This is likely due to a combination of limited resources and a lack of adapted and accessible interventions. Providing psychological treatment via the internet may be one way of increasing access to healthcare for this population. Internet-based interventions have been shown to be effective in treating mental health problems in other patient populations, and the internet-based format may be well suited to the needs and preferences commonly reported by autistic individuals. Within this project, we are developing an internet-based treatment for autistic adults aimed at increasing individuals' understanding of themselves and their difficulties, as well as improving self-esteem and self-acceptance. In the longer term, we hope that the treatment may also contribute to improved quality of life and sense of coherence, as well as reduced levels of anxiety and depression. The treatment is intended for autistic adults experiencing some form of psychological distress. It consists of text-based modules, and participants complete exercises with the support of an individual therapist who guides them through the treatment. If the treatment proves to be effective, our hope is that it can be implemented within Swedish habilitation services as an alternative to face-to-face psychological treatment.

This 12-month study tests whether AdiaVita (umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells and exosomes) plus glutathione improves autism symptoms more than glutathione alone in children ages 3-12. About 100 children with confirmed autism will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives monthly IV AdiaVita plus IV glutathione for 3 months. The other group receives IV glutathione plus a saline placebo infusion for 2 months. Both groups also use a topical glutathione spray twice a day at home. Symptoms are tracked with the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), completed by a parent and by a therapist or teacher. Safety is monitored at clinic visits through Month 12. Children who first receive glutathione only, may crossover to receive AdiaVita at no extra cost if they stay medically stable and their family agrees. Participation is voluntary. The study fee is $12,000.

This is an open-label clinical trial to evaluate the benefits of familial fecal microbiota transplant following a 6-week treatment with Vancomycin in adult subjects with ASD for treatment of social deficits and language delays.

This study assesses the effect of using the Autism Program Environment Rating Scale (APERS) as a tool for providing feedback, in-service training, and coaching to school staff in order to improve program quality in special education units (SEUs) for children with autism or related sociocommunicative challenges (SCCs). APERS is used in its culturally validated Swedish version (APERS-Primary-SE). Using a quasi-randomized parallel-group design, SEUs will be allocated to either an experimental (APERS+) or control (TAU) condition. In the APERS+ condition, school staff receive continuous and systematic feedback provided by trained coaches based on the initial APERS assessment. In the TAU condition, schools will also receive feedback based on the initial APERS assessment, but no continuous coaching. It is hypothesized that the APERS based intervention will improve overall program quality for children with autism or related SCCs as compared to TAU. Additionally, we also expect the intervention to improve student functioning, students' individual goal attainment, students' perception of their schools, and teacher self-efficacy as compared to TAU.

BRIEF SUMMARY A. "What is the purpose of this study?" BACKGROUND. The QAIAx clinical trial (Quantum AI/AGI Public Health Agency), known operationally as the "AI City Hall Project," represents a landmark intergovernmental research initiative examining the viability of AI-governed residential ecosystems for behavioral and mental health intervention. Authorized under 10 U.S.C. 4001 (Defense Sector Research Projects, RDT\&E) and supported by pending USPTO applications (Nos. 64/074,526, 64/063,557, 64/105,164, 63/903,181, 63/729,428, 64/125,360), this non-medicinal program investigates whether quantum AI-managed public administration, AI humanoid robotics, holographic holoportation (AI-119 Kikkeri Holo-Suit / "AI Wat Beam Bot"; AI-119 Vulcan QM-Ware or "Quasi-Mind Ware"), and advanced AGI learning machines can reduce housing and care costs while improving mental health outcomes-particularly for persons with addiction and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. SCOPE \& JURISDICTION. The trial operates across a network of self-contained, geodesic dome-enclosed "Microcities" (1,500-15,000 occupants per site) within an affiliate network of 300 communities, spanning North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Asia, and the Middle East. Participating host nations are U.S.-allied member states party to the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and the Hague Convention, alongside related bilateral treaties with the U.S. government. INTERVENTION \& POPULATION: Eligible adults (18+) reside in these Microcities for up to 36 months. Daily life-including housing, utilities, and healthcare-is administered by the ISAC AI/AGI system and robots with minimal human oversight. CLINICAL TRIAL GOAL(S): The clinical trial program goals are to exemplify a sustainable AGI-managed public administration supported by AI robotics and AGI trans-human and omni-AI machines (e.g., "Q-Men"; "AI-Me"; Beam Bot", "QM-Ware", "AVK Suit") to improve mental health outcomes-especially for those with addiction disorders-and create a financially sustainable model for people on fixed incomes or public assistance. B. "What conditions does the study focus on?" The study focuses on adults with: * Autism spectrum disorders (Asperger's, autism, ADHD, ASD) * Substance use disorders (alcohol, opioids, marijuana, cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy, tobacco/nicotine) * Psychiatric conditions (personality disorders, narcissism, gender dysphoria, eating disorders) * Behavioral addictions (gambling, sex addiction) and related issues (sex offence history). C. "What does the study involve?" Eligible volunteers live in an omni AI-managed Microcity for up to 24 months. The community is housed in a geodesic dome that contains all daily necessities: housing, food, utilities, healthcare, and public services. Daily life is managed by an AI system (ISAC) and AI humanoid robots, with only occasional human oversight. Participants receive free mental-health treatment that may include AI-driven counselling, virtual-reality therapy (holo-suits), and non-invasive digital "attitude inoculation" protocols designed to reduce stress and addiction cravings. All participants also take AI-technology courses as a condition of enrolment. The study does not use any FDA-regulated drug, device, or biologic. \*\*Who can participate?\*\* You may be able to join if you: * Are an adult (18 years or older) * Have a diagnosis of one of the listed mental-health or addiction disorders * Are referred by a licensed health professional (e.g., RN, NP, PhD, MD), a non-profit organization (e.g., 501(c)(3), university, church), or a public agency (e.g., case manager, social worker, parole/probation officer, judge) * Are willing to live in a closed, AI-managed community for up to one year and complete AI educational courses. Participants who are veterans, receive public assistance (e.g., VA disability, SSDI/SSI, Medicaid, Medicare), or are experiencing homelessness may be prioritized. \*\*Where is the study taking place?\*\* The study will be conducted at Microcity sites in the United States and internationally. The first administrative site is in Richmond, Virginia, USA. Additional sites are planned in partner nations, including tribal lands, military installations, and special economic zones. \*\*Who is sponsoring the study?\*\* The study is sponsored by Veterans Recovery Network Inc., a SCDV-owned non-profit organization, in collaboration with AI-119 Vulcan Project Research \& Educational Technology Co. (PRETCO). The study is conducted under U.S. federal research and development authorities (28 U.S.C. §1498; 10 U.S.C. §§§§ 4001, 4021, 4022, and 4023) and is part of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with participating segments or RDT\&E programming missions of the United States Defense Department (DoW). This summary describes a planned clinical study. Not all details may be final. Information may change as the study progresses.

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a brief guided self-help wellbeing intervention for autistic adults accessing UK secondary mental health services. The study also aims to begin to evaluate whether use of the workbook is associated with any changes in wellbeing. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is it feasible to recruit and retain autistic adults to participate in the study? 2. Do participants find the workbook acceptable and relevant? 3. Are there measurable improvements in wellbeing following workbook use? 4. What changes, if any, do participants recommend for future versions of the intervention? Participants will: * Take part in 4-6 sessions of 30-60 minutes using the guided self-help workbook with the support of a trained National Health Service support worker, assistant psychologist, or mental health professional * Complete wellbeing questionnaires before, during, and after using the workbook * Complete brief daily wellbeing ratings throughout the study * Take part in a 1:1 semi-structured interview of up to an hour to discuss their experience of the workbook

Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by differences in social communication/interaction and the presence of restricted/repetitive behaviors, with significant heterogeneity in terms of autistic features, language ability, and cognitive characteristics. About 2-3% of individuals in the United States are autistic, and most autistic individuals have co-occurring mental health conditions. Autistic people are 3-4 times more likely to experience depression than non-autistic people. Of the emerging depression treatment research with autistic people, none to date has focused on developing and testing a depression treatment for autistic youth with below average cognitive abilities - a group which comprises over 50% of the autistic community. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the feasibility (Aim 1), acceptability (Aim 2), and preliminary treatment effects (Aim 3) of an extension of Behavioral Activation for Depression in Autistic Adolescents (BA-A), adapted to meet the needs of cognitively lower functioning autistic youth.

The goal of this study is to help children with autism and a co-occurring intellectual disability and their families learn practical strategies for managing issues like irritability, aggression, and other challenging behaviors. The main objective of this study is: To adapt current Regulating Together materials to create an outpatient group program for emotion dysregulation in autism and co-occurring intellectual disability (ASD + ID) that will improve psychosocial outcomes for youth with ASD + ID.

Pepea Pamoja is a ten-session, group-based caregiver intervention designed to improve caregiver well-being and strengthen caregivers' ability to support communication and positive behavior in children with autism. This study will enroll approximately 240 caregivers of children ages 2-8 years in western Kenya. Caregiver groups will be randomized to one of three conditions: standard-of-care control, professional-led Pepea Pamoja, or peer-led Pepea Pamoja. The study will determine whether each Pepea Pamoja delivery model improves caregiver and child outcomes compared with control and will directly compare peer-led and professional-led delivery. Outcomes will include caregiver stress and well-being, child communication and behavior, and blinded observations of child social communication and caregiver-child interaction. An embedded mixed-methods evaluation will examine implementation, sustainability, program and societal costs, and cost-effectiveness.

This study will pilot a newly developed Syntactic-Semantic Visual Configuration Intervention (SSVCI) designed to help Urdu-speaking children with language impairment improve their ability to understand and produce phrases and sentences. The intervention was developed through extensive literature review, expert recommendations, and the structure of the Urdu language to ensure that it is appropriate for children in Pakistan. Before pilot testing, experts in speech-language pathology and Urdu linguist according to the inclusion criteria reviewed the intervention material to evaluate whether the activities are relevant, culturally appropriate, and representative of the language skills being taught. Feedback from children and caregivers was also be used to in the first phase of need assessment, before the intervention material was finalized. The pilot study will include 20 children aged 6 to 12 years, including 10 children with language impairment and 10 children with typical language development. Participants will be recruited from selected schools, hospitals, and special education centers in Islamabad. Children with language impairment conditions , with primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, hearing impairment, cerebral palsy, or Down syndrome, provided they meet the study eligibility criteria will be included. Participants will complete language assessments before taking part in the intervention activities. These assessments will measure language skills such as sentence formation, understanding of spoken language, and narrative abilities. Information collected during the pilot study will help researchers determine whether the intervention materials are clear, practical, culturally appropriate, and suitable for use in a larger clinical trial. Findings from this study will also be used to refine the intervention by identifying activities or items that require modification or removal before final implementation.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how prednisone affects adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It will also learn about the safety of prednisone. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How does prednisone affect the core features and associated target symptoms of ASD in adults with an immune-mediated subtype of ASD? * Is prednisone safe for autistic adults without causing too many side effects? * Does this study warrant larger trials studying anti-inflammatory drugs in this subject population? Researchers will compare the drug prednisone to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see how prednisone affects autistic adult males. Participants will: * Visit the clinic 2 times for a screening and baseline visit. * Take prednisone or a placebo every day for 16 weeks. * Visit the clinic 2 times for checkups, tests, questionnaires, and dose changes, and 1 time for a follow-up visit 4 weeks after stopping the study drug. * Provide blood and urine samples for testing up to 4 times. * Complete 8 remote calls every 1-2 weeks for checkups and dose changes. * Keep a diary of the dose and times they take the study drug every day and any symptoms or side effects they experience.

This study will examine whether visiting the National Taiwan Museum can support the social and emotional well-being of autistic adults. The research team plans to recruit 90 autistic adults aged 18 to 50 from the Department of Psychiatry at National Taiwan University Hospital. Participants must have average-range intellectual ability and be able and willing to complete the study activities and assessments. People with serious physical or mental health conditions that would prevent full participation will not be included. Participants must also agree to audio and video recording during the activities. After an outpatient doctor confirms eligibility, participants will complete questionnaires and choose one of three museum participation options: 1. Visit the museum once independently. 2. Join five guided museum visits with group discussions. 3. Invite a friend to visit the museum together. Each group will include about 30 participants. For the guided group, each session will last about 90 minutes and include a professional museum tour, a question-and-answer period, time for independent exploration, and a group discussion. Participants will be encouraged to select exhibits that interest them, record their observations, share their thoughts, listen to others, and respond to different viewpoints. The five planned museum themes include Taiwan's history and identity, relationships between people and nature, architecture and living spaces, human evolution and the future, and attitudes toward money and financial planning. The discussions will explore everyday topics such as stereotypes, personal values, preferred living environments, hopes for the future, and managing money. Participants will complete questionnaires before and after the program. These questionnaires will assess areas such as autistic characteristics, social communication, empathy, sensory experiences, comfort with social touch, emotional skills, loneliness, anxiety, depression, and anxiety during social interaction. Participants will also rate how enjoyable, comfortable, safe, interesting, and socially engaging they found the museum activities. The researchers will compare participants' results before and after the program. They will also compare the three participation options to determine whether independent visits, guided group activities, or visiting with a friend produce different outcomes. The overall goal is to understand whether museum-based activities can be used as a form of social prescribing to improve social participation, emotional well-being, confidence, and quality of life among autistic adults.

The goal of this pilot intervention study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a novel bedtime manipulation protocol called "The Power Down" for autistic youth, ages 6-10. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is the Power Down feasible for caregivers to do each night? 2. Do the families find the Power Down an acceptable intervention to address their child's difficulties settling down to fall asleep?

This is a single center, intervention study of integrating the eye-tracking (ET) biomarker battery into the existing autism evaluation process at the Riley Early Years Program (EYP). Eligible participants referred for autism testing through EYP will undergo a traditional comprehensive diagnostic assessment by an EYP clinical psychologist.

The goal of this study is to learn if a dance, yoga, and mindful movement program can improve the lives of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a condition that can affect how a person communicates, connects with others, and experiences daily life. This study focuses on adults ages 18 to 35. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can a dance, yoga, and mindful movement program improve social skills and communication for adults with ASD? * Can it improve their quality of life and sense of well-being? * Can it improve their physical, mental, and emotional health? Dance, yoga, and mindful movement have been studied in children with ASD, but very little research has looked at how they may help adults. This study hopes to help fill that gap. Participants will: * Take part in a 12-week dance, yoga, and mindful movement program * Answer survey questions at the start and end of the program about their social skills, communication, quality of life, well-being, and overall health

Autistic toddlers often need support to develop both social-communication and social-emotional skills. Social communication (such as making requests or sharing attention) is usually addressed in early intervention, but social-emotional needs (such as expressing feelings or learning to cope with frustration) are often overlooked. Both are important for children's development and for preventing challenging behaviors. This study is testing a blended intervention designed to support both areas at the same time. The program combines Project ImPACT, a caregiver-mediated social communication intervention, with universal practices from the Pyramid Model, a national framework for promoting young children's social-emotional development. Caregivers of autistic toddlers will be coached by early intervention providers to use strategies during everyday routines and play. The study will enroll 40 caregiver-toddler pairs, randomly assigning them to one of four study conditions. Families assigned to the waitlist control group will receive the intervention after a delay. The goal is to understand whether this blended approach improves toddlers' communication and emotional development, and whether caregivers find it helpful and practical in daily life. Because many states and early intervention systems already use the Pyramid Model, this study could provide a way to make those programs more inclusive of autistic children and their families.

This is a 20-week study for children between 3 and 6 years old with confirmed childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). The study includes a 12-week open-label pilot feasibility study of an investigational drug (Omega-DEK) plus L-carnitine (Carnitor®), which is followed by an 8-week randomized, placebo-controlled discontinuation period among the same study participants.

There are currently no approved medications for the treatment of anxiety in children and youth with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), both common and rare. Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has extensive evidence to support its use in children's and youth with anxiety but not within NDDs. More research is needed to confirm whether or not sertraline could help improve anxiety in children and youth with common and rare neurodevelopmental conditions. This is a pilot study, in which we plan to estimate the effect size of reduction in anxiety of sertraline vs. placebo. across rare and common neurodevelopmental disorders, and determine the best measure(s) to be used as a primary transdiagnostic outcome measure of anxiety, as well as diagnosis specific measures in future, larger-scale clinical trials of anxiety in NDDs.

The goal of this study is to examine the relationship between sensory responsivity, bedtime arousal levels, sleep disturbances, and daytime emotion dysregulation for autistic children (ages 6-10). In a subset of children with elevated sensory responsivity, a sensory-based bedtime manipulation targeting bedtime arousal levels will be tested.