Improving mental health assessments for children and adolescents with autism
Official title: Modifying and validating the K-CAT mental health scales for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum
Funded at Adaptive Testing Technologies · NIH-11005450 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to improve a mental health assessment tool for children and teens with autism, so it better meets their needs and helps identify any mental health issues that might be missed, with input from both the kids and their caregivers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Adaptive Testing Technologies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $427,986 |
| NIH project number | 1R44MH138162-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11005450 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents aged 0-17 who are on the autism spectrum and their caregivers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have autism or are outside the age range of 0-17 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the K-CAT mental health scales specifically for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum. It aims to address the challenges in assessing mental health conditions that often go undetected in this population due to the inadequacy of existing tools. The project will involve two phases: first, evaluating the current K-CAT for its effectiveness with autistic youth and their caregivers, and second, modifying the tool to create a more reliable and valid version tailored for autism. By involving youth and caregiver dyads, the research seeks to ensure that the assessment is both acceptable and comprehensive.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and effective mental health assessments for children and adolescents with autism, improving their overall care and treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that modifying assessment tools for specific populations can lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Adaptive Testing Technologies
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cohen, Yehuda — Adaptive Testing Technologies
- Study coordinator: Cohen, Yehuda
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Socioecological factors linked to autism and suicide risk in youth
A large study will look at how personal, community, and system factors influence suicide risk and mental health care for autistic teens and young people.
-
Support for aging family caregivers of adults with autism and developmental disabilities
This project follows older family caregivers of adults with autism to learn how social connections and life changes affect their mental health and well-being.
-
K-CAT autism version: a better mental health screening tool for children and teens on the autism spectrum
A project to refine and validate a mental health screening tool that works well for kids with autism and their caregivers, making it quicker and easier to spot mood and anxiety problems.
-
Understanding the well-being of family caregivers for adults with autism and developmental disabilities
This study is looking at how family caregivers of adults with autism and developmental disabilities can stay healthy and connected as they get older, and it aims to find helpful ways to support their mental well-being over the next five years.
-
Neural roots of how autistic adults understand word meaning
A study to understand how adults with autism process word meanings in the brain, aiming to improve language support.
-
An integrated mobile health program to reduce SAVA and mental health problems among female sex workers in Kenya
A new mobile health program aims to help female sex workers in Kenya avoid substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression by delivering group therapy, online resources, and a peer discussion space.
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.