The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of multiple sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) delivered while participants complete tasks that target social learning with high functioning adults with ASD and/or high traits of ASD. The main question it aims to answer is: What are the effects of multiple sessions of active compared to sham tDCS, with tDCS simultaneously paired with social learning tasks, from employing a within-subject, cross-over randomized controlled trial design? Participants will: * Complete a randomly assigned block of 5 sessions of active and a block of 5 sessions of sham tDCS, with a four-week break occurring between the two blocks. * Complete social learning tasks simultaneously during receipt of tDCS at each session (whether receiving active or sham tDCS). * Complete behavioral, physiological, and electrophysiological testing before and after each block of active or sham tDCS. * Complete a social validity questionnaire after completion of the study.
Age range
18 Years – 35 Years
Sex
ALL
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Measure of Emotional Distress - Anxiety
Timeframe: Before and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Measure of Social Anxiety
Timeframe: Before and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Measure of Social Anxiety/Anxiety
Timeframe: Before and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Measure of Social Anxiety
Timeframe: Before and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Measure of Social Impairment
Timeframe: Before and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Measure of Empathy
Timeframe: Before and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Measure of Prosodic Alignment
Timeframe: Before and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Measure of Emotion Expression Entrainment
Timeframe: Before and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Measure of Social Learning
Timeframe: Before and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation
Measure of Quality of Life
Timeframe: Before and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation