Improving Hospitalizations for Children With ASD

Improving Hospitalizations for Children With ASD: Testing the Cost and Clinical Efficacy of Integrated Behavioral Intervention

This study aims to implement and test a specific brief Applied Behavior Analysis model for assessing and responding to severe challenging behavior during acute medical and behavioral hospitalization for children with ASD. The investigators will evaluate the impact of this program by conducting a randomized trial across both medical and psychiatric hospital settings.

Inclusion Criteria:

• documented diagnosis of an ASD based on clinical DSM-5 diagnostic criteria assessed by attending psychiatrist
• the presence of a significant challenging behaviors (e.g., aggression, property destruction, self-injury, elopement)
• admission to the VPH or medical floors
• individual and caregiver agreement to participate and ability to provide informed consent (and assent).

Exclusion Criteria:

• None