Using Social Stories to Help Children with Autism Cooperate During Anesthesia
The Effect of the Social Stories Technique on Anesthesia Compliance in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
We will try Social Stories with children with autism to see if they are calmer and more cooperative during anesthesia for elective surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 3 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara) |
| Trial ID | NCT07356895 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This prospective controlled study compares a Social Stories intervention delivered to families before elective surgery with routine preoperative preparation in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder aged 3–18 years. Caregivers in the intervention arm receive Turkish-language, visual Social Stories materials to review at home as instructed, while control participants receive standard preoperative care. Primary outcomes include anesthesia compliance and preoperative anxiety measured during the perioperative period, and common exclusions are ASA class III or higher, emergency surgery, severe intellectual disability, or major sensory impairments. The trial is conducted at Ankara Etlik City Hospital under the lead sponsor Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 3–18 years with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder scheduled for elective surgery who are ASA physical status I–II and have caregivers able to read and apply the Turkish Social Stories materials at home.
Not a fit: Children with ASA class III or higher systemic disease, emergency surgery needs, severe intellectual disability, significant visual or hearing impairment, or families unable to comply with the intervention are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce preoperative anxiety and improve cooperation during anesthesia, potentially lowering the need for sedative medications and improving procedural safety and efficiency.
How similar studies have performed: Related behavioral preparation techniques, including visual supports and preparatory stories, have shown benefit for anxiety and cooperation in children with ASD in small studies, but randomized data specifically for anesthesia settings remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder * Patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures * Children aged 3 to 18 years * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class I-II * Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian * Caregivers willing and able to read the Social Stories materials at home as instructed * Caregivers able to understand the Social Stories materials prepared in the Turkish language Exclusion Criteria: * Children with ASA physical status class III or higher systemic disease * Patients requiring emergency surgery * Children with severe intellectual disability or significant visual or hearing impairment * History of severe behavioral problems during previous general anesthesia * Families unable or unwilling to comply with the Social Stories intervention during the study period * Inability to obtain written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian * Children receiving pharmacological treatment for a comorbid psychiatric disorder
Where this trial is running
Ankara
- Ankara Etlik City Hospital — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Elif Şule Özdemir Sezgi
- Email: elifsule-91@hotmail.com
- Phone: 00905059209638
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.