Clinical trials

Purpose: To describe level of function, psychotic and psychiatric symptoms in a 10-year follow up of individuals with autism and psychotic symptoms. Method: A case-control study based on a cohort of 48 teenagers with autism established 2013. In the original study, 22 participant reported psychotic symptom in self-evaluation questionnaires design for early detection. We aim to recruit these individuals and controls from the same cohort without psychotic symptoms. Data will be collected from self-rating scales, clinical evaluation including semi-structured interviews and healthcare journals. The study is primarily descriptive, with group comparison by non-parametric method.

Purposes: Establish proof-of-concept for home polysomnography in the assessment of sleep disorders among prepubertal school children with autism and intellectual disabilities combined; To explore the diagnostic yield of polysomnography for these individuals; To examine the feasibility and treatment effect of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for insomnia, focusing on sleep maintenance difficulties, in these children. Method: Single-case experimental design with multiple baselines and with multiple participants, with a focus on feasibility. N=15 prepubertal children, aged 6-12 years, with autism and intellectual disabilities combined, and difficulties in maintaining nighttime sleep. Assessment with home polysomnography + actigraphy. Intervention with ABA, including functional analysis, measurable goals, and behavior modification based on the functional analysis. Outcome measures from actigraphy and sleep diary with multiple data points at baseline and after treatment. Feasibility is examined as adherence to assessment and treatment, as well as in a qualitative study of parental experiences.