Coaching and Leadership in Autism Support Settings (CLASS) for schools
Official title: Coaching and Leadership in Autism Support Settings (CLASS)
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11418367 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A school-based program will be tested to help educators better manage behaviors in autistic children, and to see if a structured leadership support approach helps sustain effective practices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $932,382 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH135924-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418367 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are autistic children ages 0-11 in public elementary schools and the educators who teach and support them.
✕Less likely to help
Some schools or students may not benefit if their context differs from the study settings or if implementation does not succeed.
What this research studies
This project tests how well RUBIES behavioral interventions work in public elementary schools for children with autism, compared to educator psychoeducation. It also examines whether an organizational strategy called HELM helps schools sustain the program over time. The study uses a cluster-randomized design, placing whole schools into different support conditions to mirror real-world school settings. The goal is to identify practical ways for schools to implement and maintain effective behavioral strategies for autistic students.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, schools could consistently apply proven behavior strategies, improving outcomes for autistic children and reducing long-term support costs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials of school-based behavioral programs show promise, but this study adds a focus on sustainability and educator-led implementation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Locke, Jill J — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Locke, Jill J
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.