Launching! to Adulthood program for young adults with autism
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Launching! to Adulthood Program
Run by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · NCT06868537 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program tests whether the Launching intervention helps young adults with autism improve daily living skills, readiness for adult roles, and social thinking compared with a delayed-treatment group.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 15, 2025 |
| Main results expected | August 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 5, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06868537 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are verbally able young adults with a confirmed ASD diagnosis, a verbal IQ >70, a parent willing to participate, and motivation to engage in group-based treatment.
✕Probably not a fit
People with a history of psychotic disorder or current psychotic symptoms, severe substance use disorder, active suicidal intent, inability or unwillingness to complete procedures, concurrent enrollment in another ASD trial, or verbal IQ ≤70 are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional study delivers the group-based Launching! to Adulthood intervention to young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and compares outcomes to a delayed treatment control group. Outcomes are measured by caregiver and self-report instruments targeting adaptive functioning, transition readiness, and social cognition, with secondary measures of executive function, co-occurring mental health symptoms, and quality of life. Treatment effects are reassessed 12 weeks after the intervention to measure maintenance of gains. The trial aims to replicate a prior pilot of the Launching program in an independent sample at a single academic site.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants could gain improved daily living skills, better preparation for adult roles, and stronger social-cognitive abilities that enhance independence and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: A prior pilot of the Launching program reported promising improvements, but evidence is limited and this trial seeks independent replication.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * confirmed case of ASD from a licensed mental health or medical professional * score of \>14 on the Social Communication Questionnaire-Lifetime (SCQ-L) completed with the mother or father * meet DSM-5 criteria for ASD based on a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) ASD symptom checklist * willing and motivated to participate in the treatment * a parent willing to participate * verbal intelligence quotient (IQ) score \>70 as assessed by the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test 2nd edition revised (KBIT-2-R) Exclusion Criteria: * history of a psychotic disorder or current psychotic symptoms * suicidal ideation with intent or plan * current alcohol or other substance use disorder rated severe * concurrent enrollment in another clinical trial for autism spectrum disorder * expression of unwillingness to complete study procedures
Where it's running
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The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Antonio Pagan, PhD — The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
- Study coordinator: Antonio Pagan, PhD
- Email: Antonio.Pagan@uth.tmc.edu
- Phone: (713) 486-2700
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.