DBT Skill Training for Autistic Adults With Difficulties in Emotion Regulation.

Launched by HELSE MØRE OG ROMSDAL HF · Jun 6, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating a treatment program designed to help autistic adults who struggle with managing their emotions. Many individuals with autism also face mental health challenges, and traditional treatments often do not meet their needs. The trial will explore whether an adapted version of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a good option for these individuals. The goal is to help them better understand and regulate their emotions, improve their relationships, and reduce behaviors that can lead to crisis situations, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.

To be eligible for the study, participants should have a diagnosis of autism and significant difficulties with emotion regulation. They need to be able to communicate in Scandinavian languages (like Norwegian, Danish, or Swedish) and be committed to attending the therapy sessions. Participants will not be eligible if they have severe language difficulties, are actively experiencing psychosis, have a very low body mass index (BMI), or have significant cognitive disabilities. This trial is still in the planning stages and has not started recruiting participants yet.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Fit general inclusion criteria for the out- patient treatment at the clinic.
• • Have diagnosed autism, and pervasive difficulties in emotion regulation.
• • Speak Scandinavian (Norwegian, Danish and/or Swedish).
• • Manage to commit to participating in the DBT- skills training.
• • Be willing to sign the written informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Have a clinically significant low linguistic functioning that hinders the patient in understanding and answering the questions on the self-report instruments.
• • Being actively psychotic.
• • Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) under 17.
• • Cognitive disability Intelliganve quotient (IQ) \<85