Telehealth mindfulness program for adolescents with autism and their caregivers

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized interventional trial compares an 8-week MINDful TIME program—weekly 90-minute Zoom group sessions attended by the adolescent together with a parent or caregiver plus daily app practice—against an active control of daily use of a mindfulness meditation mobile app. Participants complete virtual intake, baseline, weekly electronic meditation diaries, and follow-up visits conducted remotely. Eligibility is limited to English-speaking, verbally communicative adolescents aged 13–18 with a confirmed ASD diagnosis and IQ ≥70, and caregivers must be available to join sessions. The trial is run through the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center with data collected entirely via telehealth visits and electronic measures.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adolescents must be ages 13 to 18 years
* Formal clinical or educational ASD diagnosis confirmed by the study team (i.e., review of formal diagnostic report from the diagnosing practitioner or Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team report (MET) shared with the research team by the family) )
* Must be willing to be randomized to a treatment or delayed treatment control group
* Must be able to attend at least 7 of the 8 group meetings
* English speaking: Adolescents and their parent/caregivers must be English-speaking because the screening and behavioral measures are in English, as well as the intervention content

Exclusion Criteria:

* Non-verbal participants will be excluded to ensure test compliance and increase sample homogeneity.
* Participants with IQ scores \<70 will be excluded because the intervention was developed for individuals without intellectual disability.
* Participants with a physical disability or co-occurring condition that may prevent participation in the weekly group meetings (e.g., selective mutism; aggressive behavior; inability to participate in a 90-minute video conference meeting each week)
* Participants who report active suicidal ideation

Where it's running

• Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
  Phoenix, Arizona, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Nicole Matthews, Ph.D. — Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
• Study coordinator: Olivia Melita
• Email: omelita@autismcenter.org
• Phone: (480) 603-3285

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Sensory Integration and Deep Pressure Therapy for Motor Coordination in Children with ASD

  This study tests whether combining Sensory Integration Therapy with Deep Pressure Therapy can improve motor coordination and reduce repetitive behaviors in children aged 4–10 with autism.

  Recruiting Riphah International University · Rawalpindi, Punjab Province · NCT07911904

• Pupillometer screen to help identify autism in kids aged 2–4 during routine visits

  A handheld pupillometer test is being tried to see if it can help identify autism in young children during regular pediatric visits.

  Recruiting at 4 sites Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories · Lewiston, Idaho and 3 other locations · NCT07903675

• Leopard: using multi-omics to boost genetic diagnosis for neurodevelopmental disorders

  This study tests a multi-omics approach to find genetic explanations for neurodevelopmental disorders in people with moderate-to-severe intellectual disability.

  Recruiting Istituto Giannina Gaslini · Genova · NCT07884227

• Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Anxiety in Autistic Youth

  This study tests a wearable heart rate variability biofeedback tool to see if it helps reduce anxiety in autistic teens.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Massachusetts General Hospital · Lexington, Massachusetts · NCT07812233

• Structured Sensory-Based Occupational Therapy for Children with Autism

  This study tests a 12-week, 40-minute sensory-based occupational therapy program twice a week to see if it improves daily skills, sensory processing, movement, and eating in children aged 3-9 with autism.

  Recruiting Medipol University · Istanbul, Beykoz · NCT07789704

• Exergaming and Aerobic Exercise for Kids with Autism

  This study tests whether adding exergames or aerobic exercise to a standard program helps improve sleep, movement skills, thinking skills, and brain activity in children with autism.

  Recruiting National Taiwan University Hospital · Taipei · NCT07789457

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.