NIH-funded research Sbir 2 grant

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.

More Mental Health research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionAdaptive Testing Technologies
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project startSeptember 11, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$427,986
NIH project number1R44MH138162-01
Project IDNIH-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.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.