Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in Adolescents With High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

In addition to the core symptoms, children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit disruptive behavior problems including irritability, tantrums, noncompliance, and aggression. This is a pilot study of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, also known as Anger Control Training, in adolescents with high-functioning ASD. CBT teaches children to recognize antecedents and consequences of problem behavior and to use emotion regulation and problem-solving skills to reduce irritability, aggression and noncompliance. This form of CBT has been well-studied in typically developing children with disruptive behavior and we are investigating if this treatment can be feasible and helpful, with appropriate modifications, for irritability and disruptive behavior in ASD.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Autism Aberrant Motor Behavior in Dementia Aggression Asperger Syndrome Asperger's Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD Autistic Disorder Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Child Behavior Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS) Problem Behavior Social Behavior

Age range

9 year–16 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Yale Child Study Center

New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

DSM-IV diagnosis of autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, or PDD-NOS
presence of disruptive behaviors such as irritability and anger outbursts
IQ above 80
Unmedicated or on stable medication

Exclusion criteria

medical or psychiatric condition that would require alternative treatment

Treatment and study plan

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Irritability

Behavioral

CBT is an individually administered behavioral interventions aimed at reducing irritability and disruptive behavior. There are 10 to 12 weekly sessions that are conducted with the child and the parent. During these sessions children are taught to recognize antecedents and consequences of problem behavior and to use emotion regulation and problem-solving skills to reduce irritability, aggression and noncompliance.

Other names: Anger Control Training

Primary outcomes

ABC Irritability Scale

Time frame: 1 week

Parent rating of irritability and disruptive behavior that has been often used in studies with children with ASD

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Yale University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2011
Primary completion: 2013
Study completion: 2013
First posted: Jun 29, 2012
Registry last updated: Nov 18, 2023

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.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed