Behavioral Activation for Treatment of Depression in Adolescents With Autism — BA-A  

Depression Clinical Trial

Official title: Behavioral Activation for Treatment of Depression in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

In this study, the investigators will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel, behavior-based approach for treatment of depression symptoms in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder or ASD (i.e., Behavioral Activation for Adolescents with ASD, BA-A).

Clinical Trial Description

In this study, the investigators will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel, behavior-based approach for treatment of depression symptoms in adolescents with ASD (i.e., Behavioral Activation for Adolescents with ASD, BA-A). BA-A is a 12-session manualized treatment that utilizes established behavioral activation strategies and incorporates common mental health treatment adaptations for young people with ASD. For this project, the investigators will pilot BA-A with 23 adolescents (12-17 years of age) with ASD and clinically significant depression symptoms. To investigate BA-A feasibility, the investigators will examine treatment session attendance and therapist treatment fidelity. To investigate BA-A acceptability, the investigators will utilize a mixed methods approach, inclusive of surveys and qualitative interviews, to inform BA-A protocol refinement. To investigate BA-A preliminary efficacy, the investigators will examine depression symptoms, as well as secondary outcome measures, at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and one-month follow-up. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Autism
• Autistic Disorder
• Depression
• Depressive Disorder

• NCT number: NCT05018169
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Virginia
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: August 1, 2021
• Completion date: August 1, 2023