Internet-delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents With Autism and Anxiety
Launched by BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · Jul 31, 2024
Trial Information
Current as of July 26, 2025
Recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is exploring the use of internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help teenagers with autism who are experiencing anxiety. Anxiety is a common challenge for these young people, and while CBT is a well-recommended treatment, many families struggle to access it due to costs, travel issues, or a lack of available therapists. This study aims to make treatment more accessible by providing it online, allowing families in Texas to participate from the comfort of their homes.
To be eligible for this trial, participants must be between the ages of 11 and 17, have a confirmed diagnosis of autism, and show significant signs of anxiety that affect their daily life. It's also important that one parent or guardian can assist with the process and that the teen can communicate verbally. Participants will be involved in assessments and receive internet-delivered therapy, making it easier for them to get the help they need without the barriers of traditional in-person sessions. If you're interested or think your child might qualify, this trial could be a valuable opportunity to receive support for anxiety.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- • 1. The child is between the age of 11-17 years old at enrollment.
- • 2. The child is diagnosed with autism using a validated assessment (e.g., Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2), Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition (CARS-2), etc.).
- • 3. The child has current, clinically significant anxiety and/or OCD as indicated by a clinician-administered standardized assessment (e.g. Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID) and Pediatric Rating Anxiety Scale modified for autism (PARS-ASD)).
- • 4. Anxiety disorder is the child's primary/co-primary psychiatric diagnosis, and if secondary psychopathology is present, it will not interfere with treatment.
- • 5. One parent/guardian over the age of 18 is able and willing to participate in assessment and treatment (e.g. has sufficient English/Spanish fluency, the decisional capacity to participate, and can commit to treatment duration).
- • 6. The child is able to communicate verbally.
- • 7. Participants are located in Texas.
- • 8. The participant has an IQ above 69, based on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test-Second Edition (KBIT-2), another valid test or clinician judgement (e.g., a previous assessment conducted, and report shared with study team)
- Exclusion Criteria:
- • 1. The child has a diagnosis of a lifetime psychotic disorder and/or conduct disorder.
- • 2. The child has significant, current suicidal/homicidal ideation and/or self-injury requiring medical intervention.
- • 3. The child has limited verbal communication abilities (e.g., no independent verbal communication),
- • 4. The child is receiving concurrent psychotherapy (including certain forms of social skills training, or behavioral interventions that target anxiety such as applied behavioral analysis).
- • 5. The child has initiated new antidepressant medication within 12-weeks of assessment (4-weeks for stimulants/benzodiazepines/antipsychotics) or during therapy.
- • 6. The child has changed psychotropic medication dosage within 4-weeks of assessment (2-weeks for stimulants/benzodiazepines/antipsychotics) or during therapy.
- • 7. The child requires a higher level than can be provided through the study (e.g., significant, current suicidal ideation)
About Baylor College Of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine is a leading academic institution dedicated to advancing health through innovative research, education, and clinical care. Located in Houston, Texas, it is renowned for its commitment to excellence in medical education and translational research, fostering collaborations that bridge laboratory discoveries with clinical application. As a clinical trial sponsor, Baylor College of Medicine leverages its robust infrastructure, interdisciplinary expertise, and access to diverse patient populations to conduct cutting-edge clinical studies aimed at improving patient outcomes and enhancing therapeutic approaches across a wide range of medical conditions.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Houston, Texas, United States
Patients applied
Trial Officials
Eric Storch, PhD
Principal Investigator
Baylor College of Medicine
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported