CRUSH curriculum for romance and sexual health for autistic young adults
A Pilot Investigation of the Competence in Romance and Understanding Sexual Health Curriculum
This project will try the CRUSH program—a group course plus one-to-one coaching—to teach sexual health and dating skills to autistic adults ages 18 to 30.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Boston Children's Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Brookline, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT07406100 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot interventional program enrolls 40 autistic adults to receive the Competence in Romance and Understanding Sexual Health (CRUSH) curriculum, which combines group-based behavioral sessions with individual coaching across about 20 sessions. Participants are randomized with a waitlist control and complete screening, clinical confirmation of autism features, and three assessment visits before, midway, and after the curriculum to measure knowledge and behaviors related to dating and sexual health. The study will also pilot the measurement battery for use in future trials and explore possible mechanisms of change. Eligibility requires English fluency and the ability to consent, with cognitive level reviewed by a clinician when needed.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are autistic adults aged 18 to 30 who are fluent in English, can provide consent, and meet clinical confirmation of autism with cognitive ability sufficient to participate (typically IQ around 70+ or clinician approval).
Not a fit: People who are non-English-speaking, have a known genetic etiology for autism, have major uncontrolled mental illness, cannot consent, or cannot attend in-person sessions are unlikely to benefit from this pilot.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, CRUSH could improve dating skills, sexual health knowledge, and confidence in forming safer intimate relationships for autistic young adults.
How similar studies have performed: This approach is relatively novel for autistic adults—CRUSH was piloted on a small group but there are currently no established evidence-based interventions for dating and sexual health in this population.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18;0 to 30;11 years old; * Either documentation of a prior diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or receipt of services based on an autism spectrum diagnosis OR self identification as being autistic / on the autism spectrum and meeting the clinical cut-off on either the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule or the Autism Spectrum Quotient; * Ability to provide consent for the protocol and understand task demands. The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition (WASI-2) may be used to confirm cognitive level. In prior work, adults with full scale IQ of 70 or above on the WASI-2 typically meet this criterion, but a licensed clinician will review individuals who fall below an IQ of 70 on an individual basis to determine eligibility; * Fluent in English. Exclusion Criteria: * Non-English-speaking participants (less than 50% of speech in English); * Known genetic etiology of ASD (e.g., Fragile X); * Major mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis); * Medical conditions that impact sexual function (e.g., pituitary tumor); * Significant sensory, motor, or physical conditions that would prevent valid participation in assessments or intervention; * Live more than 50 miles from the site in Brookline, MA where intervention and assessment sessions will be offered. * Receipt of other sexual health/dating curricula as an adult.
Where this trial is running
Brookline, Massachusetts
- Boston Children's Hospital, Two Brookline Place — Brookline, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Susan Faja, PhD
- Email: ProjectCRUSH@childrens.harvard.edu
- Phone: 6179194108
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.