Culturally Adapted Intervention to Prevent Self-harm in Young People With Autism

A Pilot Trial of a Culturally Adapted Intervention to Prevent Self-harm in Young People With Autism

The goal of this feasibility randomized controlled trial is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of Youth Culturally Adapted Manually Assisted brief psychological intervention (YCMAP) in young people with autism in Pakistan. In a rater-blind, 2-arm, multi-site, feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT), participants will be randomized either to 1) YCMAP added to the Treatment as Usual (TAU) or 2) TAU alone. Participants in the Y-CMAP arm will receive 8-10 sessions delivered individually over 3 months (weekly for 1 month then fortnightly), lasting for 60 minutes. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and at 3 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 14-24 years
• History of self-harm and/or possible suicidal behavior
• Able to engage in assessment and intervention
• Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Young people with autism with limited receptive and expressive language skills that would prevent engagement
• With any chronic medical disorder or physical condition (including communicable diseases such as Tuberculosis) that would prevent participation in assessments and or intervention.
• Not willing to participate.