Autism Paid Clinical Trials in Tennessee

Thirty percent of children with autism barely talk or do not talk at all despite years of intervention. This study aims to address this important and long-standing challenge by developing a novel intervention to increase the quantity and quality of vocalizations (i.e., sounds children make before words) and expressive language in young children with autism (aged 2 to 5 years) with minimal verbal skills. The intervention includes contingent responses to the child's vocalizations and vocal elicitation strategies. We also collect social validity information from parents about how they perceive the novel intervention. Read Less

The primary goal of this study is to examine rhythm sensitivity as a predictor of response to naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBIs) in autistic toddlers. Toddlers receive either Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT), an evidence-based NDBI that supports children's imitation and social communication skills, or a music-enhanced version of RIT. Throughout their participation in the intervention, toddlers will complete study procedures of viewing naturalistic videos of infant-directed singing and other social scenes while eye gaze data is collected. Read Less

This project will look at whether a novel approach to language intervention that encourages looking to audiovisual speech cues for infants with autistic older siblings (Baby Sibs), who are highly likely be diagnosed with autism or developmental language disorder (DLD). This study will specifically look at (a) whether caregivers find this approach to be easy to implement in their homes, (b) whether they find this approach to be acceptable, and (c) whether caregivers use the taught strategies in interactions with their infants. Read Less

Despite the significant morbidity and mortality associated with catatonia in autism, no diagnostic research has attempted to identify biomarkers for catatonia. This application will use a participant's own individual brain magnetic resonance image to target the primary motor strip with transcranial magnetic stimulation; to determine if hyper-excitability of the brain directly correlates with symptoms of catatonia and social-emotional impairment in autism. Completion of this project would result in the first study to associate hyper-excitability of the brain with catatonia and core features of autism; findings which are likely to have a significant impact on the health and well-being of autistic individuals. Read Less

This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in pediatric patients aged 5 to 17 years with a primary diagnosis of irritability associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) and confirmed by the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). Read Less

This study aims to compare two FDA approved medications (aripiprazole and risperidone) for the treatment of behavioral dysregulation in children with autism spectrum disorders. This trial, done in the context of routine clinical care, will seek to evaluate whether aripiprazole or risperidone is associated with more weight gain in children. Read Less