Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy adapted for autistic children and teens (pilot implementation)
Implementation Science-Guided Pilot Study of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Autistic Youth in Community Mental Health Settings
This pilot will try TF‑CBT adapted for autistic children and teens with trauma-related symptoms to see if community mental health clinicians can deliver it and families find it acceptable.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 24 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lebanon, New Hampshire) |
| Trial ID | NCT07420478 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
An open pilot will deliver a modified Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF‑CBT) protocol to autistic youth aged 6–17 with moderate trauma-related distress and their non‑offending caregivers. Community mental health clinicians who are trained in TF‑CBT and employed at participating centers will provide the treatment in outpatient settings. Outcomes will focus on feasibility, acceptability, and symptom change measured with instruments such as the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen‑2 (CATS‑2). The pilot tests implementation procedures in a real-world community mental health setting affiliated with Dartmouth‑Hitchcock and enrolls youth already on a participating clinician's caseload.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Autistic children and adolescents aged 6–17 with a current autism diagnosis, a moderate level of trauma-related distress on the CATS‑2, a non‑offending caregiver able to participate, and who are receiving outpatient care from a participating community mental health clinician.
Not a fit: Children who do not show trauma-related distress on the CATS‑2, who lack a non‑offending caregiver to participate, or who are not receiving care from a participating clinician are unlikely to benefit from this pilot.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the adapted TF‑CBT could reduce trauma symptoms and increase access to effective trauma care for autistic youth in community clinics.
How similar studies have performed: TF‑CBT is well supported for treating trauma in neurotypical youth, but adaptations for autistic youth are relatively novel and have only limited pilot data so far.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for Therapists 1. Employed as a clinician at a participating Community Mental Health Center (CMHC; publicly-funded mental health program) for at least 6 months. 2. Trained in TF-CBT. 3. Has an eligible autistic youth on current caseload (see below). Inclusion Criteria for Child Participants 1. Between 6 and 18 years old (up to 17 years, 11 months). 2. Current medical diagnosis of autism. 3. Has a non-offending caregiver who is able to participate in treatment (i.e., caregiver who is not the perpetrator of the abuse/other trauma). 4. Initiated outpatient psychotherapy services from participating therapist within enrolled CMHC. 5. A moderate level of trauma-related distress as measured by the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen-2 (CATS-2). Exclusion Criteria for Child Participants 1\. Does not present with trauma-related distress (score falls within the "Normal" range as measured by the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen-2 Self- and Parent-Report).
Where this trial is running
Lebanon, New Hampshire
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center — Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kaitlyn Ahlers, PhD — Dartmouth Health
- Study coordinator: Kaitlyn Ahlers, PhD
- Email: kaitlyn.p.ahlers@hitchcock.org
- Phone: 603-650-7075
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.