Helping middle-school students with autism gain school organization and independence
Achieving Independence and Mastery in Schools – An RCT for Middle-Schoolers with Autism
This program helps middle-schoolers with autism build organization, planning, and homework skills using a structured school-based approach.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179480 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Your child would take part in AIMS, a teaching program delivered in middle schools that focuses on organization, planning, prioritizing, memory, and materials management. The program was designed specifically for students with autism who do not have an intellectual disability and uses hands-on lessons, practice, and support from teachers and parents. In the research, students will be randomly assigned to AIMS or an active comparison and followed over time to see how their school organization and grades change. The team collects information from school records, teacher and parent reports, and direct skill checks to monitor progress.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are middle-school-aged youth with autism spectrum disorder who do not have an intellectual disability and can attend local school-based sessions.
Not a fit: Children with significant intellectual disability, those outside the middle-school age range, or those unable to participate in school-based sessions are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, AIMS could help middle-school students with autism improve organizational skills and school achievement, narrowing the gap with their peers.
How similar studies have performed: Small preliminary studies of AIMS showed promising improvements in organization skills, but a large randomized trial is needed to confirm benefits for academic outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tamm, Leanne — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Tamm, Leanne
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 below.