Adapting BA for Minimally Verbal Autistic Adults
Purpose
The present study aims to adapt and evaluate the feasibility of the BeatIt-2 behavioral activation intervention for people with intellectual disabilities and low mood to be implemented with minimally verbal autistic individuals.
Conditions
- Autism
- Depression
- Autism Spectrum Disorder With Impaired Functional Language
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
- Over 18 Years
- Eligible Genders
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- Minimally verbal - Aged 18 years or older - Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and clinically significant depression based on clinical best estimate diagnosis using DSM-5 or Diagnostic Manual - Intellectual Disability criteria - Have a support person willing to participate - Live in New Jersey or New York, or be within travel distance to Rutgers University
Exclusion Criteria
- Not able to engage in treatment in English - current engagement in other treatment for depression - conditions that may preclude engagement in treatment sessions (e.g., active psychosis, unmanaged seizures) - high suicide risk (i.e., with a clear plan, expressed intent or recent documented attempts)
Study Design
- Phase
- N/A
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- N/A
- Intervention Model
- Single Group Assignment
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None (Open Label)
Arm Groups
| Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention |
|---|---|---|
|
Experimental BeatIt-MV Treatment Group |
Participants, along with support persons, will complete 12 weekly sessions of the BeatIt-MV intervention. The support person will complete an initial session before commencement of the 12 weekly sessions. |
|
Recruiting Locations
More Details
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Detailed Description
Aim 1. The first phase of the project will focus on adapting the BeatIt-2 manual to consider specific needs of MV autistic adults. This procedure includes an intervention development group (IDG), for which MV autistic adults and their supporters (i.e., someone identified as a source of support they can work with) will be recruited. Aim 2. During the following phase of the project, a feasibility trial will be conducted. Using the treatment manual and study procedures adapted and refined in phase 1, the trial will examine the feasibility and acceptability of BeatIt-MV.
