Adapting a Group Intervention for Emotion Dysregulation in Autism and Intellectual Disability
Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City
Summary
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.
Description
Up to ten children with autism and co-occurring Intellectual Disability (ASD + ID) ages 8 to 12 years and their caregivers will be enrolled in the study. This study is being done to develop and test a behavior therapy to help children with ASD + ID calm their emotions. Participants will complete assessments at five time points: Screening (T1); Week 0: Baseline visit (T2); Week 5: Post Active Treatment (T3); Week 10: 5 week follow-up (T4); and Week 15: 10 week follow-up (T5). Participants will receive 5 weeks of intervention, twice per week, following the T2 visit.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 8–12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Child Participant Inclusion Criteria: * Males, females, or non-binary youth between 8 and 12 years of age * Confirmed diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) * Confirmed diagnosis of Intellectual Disability * Fluent in spoken English. * Use of flexible phrase speech or greater * Meeting clinically significant emotion dysregulation criteria * Willing to participate in twice weekly 90-minute sessions * Family is willing to keep prescribed psychiatric medication and outside behavioral interventions stable * Parent, guardian, or legally authorized representative (LAR) must provide written per…
Interventions
- BehavioralRegulating Together group therapy
Regulating Together is the original curriculum developed for autistic youth that uses evidence-based therapeutic strategies including relaxation techniques, parent management training, and mindfulness to help regulate emotions. This study will adapt the original Regulating Together curriculum to focus on behavioral interventions to treat emotion dysregulation in Autism with a co-occurring intellectual disability.
Location
- Children's MercyKansas City, Missouri