Modified Pivotal Response Treatment for Insistence on Sameness in Autistic Youth

Modified Pivotal Response Treatment for Insistence on Sameness in Autistic Youth

The purpose of this open label trial is to examine the preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a 12-week behavioral intervention program (1 hour/week) to treat insistence on sameness (e.g., difficulty tolerating changes in routine) in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Treatment will be delivered via secure telemedicine platform and consist of a combination of parent-training and parent-mediated intervention with the child.

Participants will include children with:

1. parent/guardian aged 18 years or older with a child aged between 4.0 to 17.11 years old at the time of parental consent;
2. diagnosed with ASD (based on history, review of available medical records including diagnostic testing, e.g., ADOS) or suspicion of ASD diagnosis and confirmed with Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R);
3. parent-reported clinically significant concerns regarding insistence on sameness and behavioral inflexibility;
4. stable behavioral and pharmacological treatment for at least two weeks with no anticipated changes;
5. English-speaking parent and youth able to consistently participate in study procedures;
6. family resides in United States.