Spanish-language Unstuck and On Target program for children with autism or ADHD
Evaluating a Spanish-language Executive Functioning Intervention for Children With Autism and/or ADHD and Their Families
This program will test whether a Spanish-language version of Unstuck and On Target helps Spanish-speaking caregivers and their 8–11-year-old children with autism and/or ADHD improve executive skills and reduce caregiver strain.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years to 11 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Colorado, Denver Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Aurora, Colorado) |
| Trial ID | NCT07084324 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will randomly assign Spanish-speaking caregiver-child pairs (children aged 8–11 with autism and/or ADHD) to immediate treatment or a waitlist control. Families in the treatment group attend eight weekly clinic-based sessions with parallel groups for children and caregivers using the Spanish-language Unstuck and On Target curriculum. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will measure child executive function, caregiver EF knowledge, caregiver strain, and satisfaction, and participants will be invited to a focus group to share feedback. The study tests feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the adapted intervention in a U.S. Spanish-speaking population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Spanish-preferring caregivers at least 18 years old and their 8–11-year-old children who meet DSM-5 criteria for autism and/or ADHD and have verbal skills at or above a seven-year-old level with observable executive functioning difficulties.
Not a fit: Families who do not speak Spanish, have children outside the 8–11 age range, children with verbal skills below the required level, or who do not report executive functioning difficulties are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could improve children's planning and problem-solving, lower caregiver stress, and expand accessible Spanish-language support for neurodivergent families.
How similar studies have performed: The original English Unstuck and On Target program has evidence of improving executive function and behavior in children, but the Spanish-language adaptation has not been widely tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Child is 8-11 years old. * Child meets DSM-5 criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or ADHD * Child has verbal skills at a 7-year-old level or greater (as measured by WASI Vocabulary and Similarities subtests) * Caregiver endorses at least one of the following executive functioning problems: * Difficulty accepting feedback or criticism. * Difficulty handling frustration. * Difficulty starting non-preferred activities. * Frequent meltdowns. * Not stopping a behavior after being told to stop. * Shutting down in the face of a challenge. * Caregiver is at least 18 years old. * Caregiver identifies Spanish as their preferred or primary language. Exclusion Criteria: \- Individuals will be excluded only if they do not meet one or more of the inclusion criteria listed above.
Where this trial is running
Aurora, Colorado
- University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine — Aurora, Colorado, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jonathan Safer-Lichtenstein, PhD
- Email: jonathan.safer@cuanschutz.edu
- Phone: 303-724-3300
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.