CAST for Autism Spectrum Disorder (CAST Trial)

N/A

Recruiting

Research Sponsored by Ball State University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up once per year; at the end of the school year

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial aims to develop and test an intervention called CAST to help autistic youth improve their goal-setting and achievement skills. Current educational practices have not been successful in ensuring positive outcomes for autistic students after they finish

Who is the study for?

This trial is for autistic students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), their caregivers, special education teachers, and pre-employment specialists. Participants should not be planning any major life changes like moving or job transitions during the school year.

What is being tested?

The COMPASS Across Settings (CAST) intervention is being tested to improve goal setting and attainment skills in autistic youth. CAST integrates three evidence-based interventions and provides coaching support across home, school, and community settings.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial involves educational and behavioral interventions rather than medical treatments, traditional physical side effects are not applicable. However, participants may experience varying degrees of psychological discomfort or stress due to new routines or changes in their environment.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ at each coaching session (four timepoints) from fall through spring of school year (about every 4-6 weeks following the initial consulation)

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~at each coaching session (four timepoints) from fall through spring of school year (about every 4-6 weeks following the initial consulation)

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and at each coaching session (four timepoints) from fall through spring of school year (about every 4-6 weeks following the initial consulation) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Attainment of Postsecondary Goals (Ruble et al., 2019)

Goal Attainment of IEP progress (Ruble et al., 2012; 2018).

Secondary study objectives

Fidelity Assessment of CAST Coaching (Ruble et al., 2018)

Fidelity Assessment of Initial CAST consultation (Ruble et al., 2018)

Organizational Connectedness

+1 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

3Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Pre-Post study of CASTExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

The research team will then conduct a field test of CAST in year 2, making further revisions.

Group II: Focus Groups to Inform CASTActive Control1 Intervention

For the year 1 development activities, the research team will conduct focus groups with administrators, special education teachers, parents, students, and pre-employment transition specialists about how to integrate plans and services across settings.

Group III: Randomized Controlled Study of CASTActive Control1 Intervention

In year 3, they will use a mixed methods design using a small RCT and network analysis, oversampling African American students and students from rural areas, to evaluate CAST for improved postsecondary outcomes in employment, training, and education.

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