TeleABA for Hospitalized Adolescents and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (NCT07701915) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
TeleABA for Hospitalized Adolescents and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder
United States120 participantsStarted 2026-08-01
Plain-language summary
This study is evaluating whether a telehealth-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) program can improve the care of adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are hospitalized because of severe challenging behaviors, such as aggression, self-injury, property destruction, or elopement.
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard hospital care alone or standard hospital care plus a Telehealth Applied Behavior Analysis for Hospitalized Adolescents and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (TeleABA) program. The TeleABA program includes assessment by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), individualized behavior support recommendations, coaching for hospital staff, caregiver training, discharge planning, and four weekly telehealth sessions with caregivers after the participant leaves the hospital.
Researchers will compare the two groups to determine whether the TeleABA program improves behavioral outcomes, caregiver confidence and stress, hospital experiences, and the transition from the hospital to home. The findings may help identify more effective ways to support individuals with autism and their families during and after behavioral health hospitalizations.
Who can participate
Age range
12 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 12 years or older.
* Established or documented diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the electronic medical record or confirmed by the attending provider using DSM-5 criteria.
* Admitted to a participating Hackensack Meridian Health hospital due to behavioral concerns (e.g., aggression, self-injury, elopement, or property destruction) that contribute to or prolong hospitalization.
* Behavioral support identified by the attending provider as a primary component of the current admission.
* Caregiver or legally authorized representative (LAR) able to provide informed consent.
* Patient assent obtained when applicable.
* Voluntary, court-mandated, and ward-of-the-state admissions are eligible.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Admission for an acute medical condition in which behavioral concerns are not a primary driver of hospitalization.
* Medical instability that precludes participation in telehealth sessions.
* Absence of a caregiver or legally authorized representative able to provide informed consent.
Questions worth asking your doctor
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.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
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.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Irritability (ABC-I) Score
Timeframe: Assessed at baseline (hospital admission), at hospital discharge, and at 2 and 6 weeks post-discharge, assessed up to 365 days.