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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06424366

Approach to Dance for Autism

This study will be a randomized trial that will examine the impact of a recreational ballet program on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research team are primarily interested in assessing changes in motor skills with secondary objectives focused on the social, psychological, and behavioral effects. The study will aim to collect data from 24 participants with ASD. Participants must be 7-12 years old, have a confirmed diagnosis of ASD, and speak English or Spanish. All participants will be enrolled in a 12 week ballet program. The ballet program is based off the curriculum and structure of Ballet for All Kids, a non-profit organization that has been tailoring ballet classes for children with ASD for over one decade. All research team members and volunteers will be trained in the BFAK program's curriculum and structure. Ballet instruction and all research materials will be provided in both English and Spanish. The research team will randomize the sample into an intervention group and waitlist control. The research team will measure outcomes through validated self-reports that caregivers will complete. For the intervention group, questionnaires will be completed at baseline and throughout the intervention (weeks 4, 8, and 12). For those in the waitlist control group, questionnaires will be completed at baseline, throughout the intervention group's ballet classes, and throughout their own participation in the program. Results of this study will help to determine if how a recreational ballet program can impact the motor, psychological, social, and behavioral skills of a child with ASD, informing the direction of future research and interventions.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder Autistic Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

7 year–12 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York, 10029, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Confirmed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
  • Fluent in English or Spanish
  • Between 7-12 years old

Exclusion criteria

  • For any reason the individual appears unable to participate in study procedures per the Principal Investigator
  • Not fluent in English or Spanish
  • Unable to commit to at least 8 of the 12 scheduled intervention sessions

Treatment and study plan

Ballet for All Kids

Behavioral

The intervention consists of 12 weeks of ballet classes that follow the structure and curriculum of Ballet for All Kids (BFAK). BFAK is a non-profit organization that has been tailoring ballet classes for children with autism spectrum disorder for over one decade. Ballet classes will be held once a week for 45 minute sessions and led by trained medical and graduate students who have successfully completed BFAK's training and certification. BFAK instruction is based on the Schlachte Method, which combines auditory, visual, vestibular, and emotional learning to individualize instruction to match each child's skill level. In classroom accommodations include, but are not limited to a visual schedule, personal dance areas demarcated by tape on the floor, and one-on-one volunteer assistance.

Primary outcomes

  1. Development Coordination Disorder Questionnaire

    Time frame: at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12

    Development Coordination Disorder Questionnaire will be completed by caregivers and will assess participants' motor skills throughout the study. Minimum score= 15. Maximum score= 75. A higher score indicates more advanced motor skills.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Aberrant Behavior Checklist

    Time frame: at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12

    The Aberrant Behavior Checklist will be completed by caregivers and will assess participants' behaviors such as irritability; lethargy; stereotypy; hyperactivity; and inappropriate speech. Minimum score= 0. Maximum score= 174. A higher score indicates a greater degree of that behavior (i.e. higher scores on irritability would indicate that child tends to be more irritable).

  2. Social Responsiveness Scale 2

    Time frame: at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12

    The Social Responsiveness Scale 2 will be completed by caregivers and will assess participants' social behaviors throughout the study. Minimum raw score = 65. Maximum raw score = 260. T-scores have a mean of 50 and a SD of 10. Raw scores are converted to T scores based on the child's gender. A higher score indicates more severe social impairments.

  3. Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (Abbreviated)

    Time frame: at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12

    The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire will be completed by caregivers and will assess participants' sleep throughout the study. Minimum score = 0. Maximum score = 154. A higher score indicates more sleep disturbances.

  4. The Repetitive Behavior Scale

    Time frame: at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12

    The Repetitive Behavior Scale will be completed by caregivers and will assess participants' repetitive behaviors and restricted interests throughout the study. Minimum score = 0. Maximum score = 129. A higher score indicates more severe behaviors.

  5. Caregiver Strain Questionnaire

    Time frame: at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12

    The Caregiver Strain Questionnaire will be completed by caregivers and will assess caregivers' stress related to parental/familial responsibilities throughout the study. Minimum score = 21. Maximum score = 105. A higher score indicates that a caregiver experiences more distress due to their familial responsibilities.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Other

Collaborators

  • American Psychiatric Association

Registry information

Official study title

ADAPT: Approach to Dance for Autism

Acronym: ADAPT

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 22, 2024
Registry last updated
Apr 16, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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