TF-CBT for Autistic Youth Pilot Implementation - Open Pilot

NCT07420478 | Recruiting DMC

• 2 other identifiers: STUDY02002692_1P20GM156710
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Compared to the general population, autistic youth are at increased risk for both exposure to potentially traumatic events and trauma-related symptoms following trauma exposure. Autistic people identify approaches to effectively addressing trauma as a top mental health research priority, yet providers in community settings often report inadequate training in trauma treatment. The purpose of this study is to conduct an open pilot to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an evidence-based intervention for youth affected by trauma, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), that has been modified for autistic youth served in Community Mental Health Centers.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; PTSD and Trauma-related Symptoms; Autism; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Health Services

Keywords

Autism; Trauma; PTSD; Mental health symptoms; TF-CBT; Implementation science; Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM)

  Parents/caregivers and therapists will complete the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), a widely used four-item measure that assesses the extent to which individuals believe an intervention is acceptable. Participants rate the intervention on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater acceptability. Scores range from a minimum score of 4 to a maximum score of 20. This measure demonstrates good reliability and validity. Parents/caregivers and therapists trained in how to modify Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for autistic youth will complete the AIM at the 6-month (post-treatment) timepoint.

  6 months after starting implementation

• Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM)

  Therapists will complete the Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM), a widely used four-item measure that assesses the extent to which individuals believe an intervention is feasible. Participants rate the intervention on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater feasibility. Scores range from a minimum score of 4 to a maximum score of 20. This measure demonstrates good reliability and validity. Therapists trained in how to modify Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for autistic youth will complete the FIM at the 6-month (post-treatment) timepoint.

  6 months after starting implementation

• Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM)

  Therapists will complete the Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM), a widely used four-item measure that assesses the extent to which individuals find an intervention to be appropriate. Participants rate the intervention on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater appropriateness. Scores range from a minimum score of 4 to a maximum score of 20. This measure demonstrates good reliability and validity. Therapists trained in how to modify Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for autistic youth will complete the IAM at the 6-month (post-treatment) timepoint.

  6 months after starting implementation

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Intervention Characteristics

  6 months after starting implementation

• Intervention Usability

  6 months after starting implementation

Other Outcomes (8)

• Change in child posttraumatic stress symptoms via the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen 2 (CATS-2) Self-Report DSM-5 PTSD Total Score

  Baseline, 6 months

• Change in child posttraumatic stress symptoms via the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen 2 (CATS-2) Parent-Report DSM-5 PTSD Total Score

  Baseline, 6 months

• Change in symptoms via the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)

  Baseline, 6 months

Study Arms (1)

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, modified for autistic youth

EXPERIMENTAL

Autistic youth will receive Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), modified for autistic youth, an evidence-based intervention for youth affected by trauma that has been modified for autistic youth. Enrolled clinicians will receive training in how to modify TF-CBT for autistic youth.

Behavioral: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, modified for autistic youth

Interventions

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, modified for autistic youth BEHAVIORAL

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a cognitive-behavioral treatment to help children and adolescents recover after trauma. It is a structured, evidence-based treatment model that addresses posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and other trauma-related symptoms. In TF-CBT, modified for autistic youth, clinicians will modify their use of TF-CBT for autistic youth. Clinicians will be trained in how to deliver TF-CBT to autistic youth.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, modified for autistic youth

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Employed as a clinician at a participating Community Mental Health Center (CMHC; publicly-funded mental health program) for at least 6 months.
• Trained in TF-CBT.
• Has an eligible autistic youth on current caseload (see below).
• Between 6 and 18 years old (up to 17 years, 11 months).
• Current medical diagnosis of autism.
• Has a non-offending caregiver who is able to participate in treatment (i.e., caregiver who is not the perpetrator of the abuse/other trauma).
• Initiated outpatient psychotherapy services from participating therapist within enrolled CMHC.
• A moderate level of trauma-related distress as measured by the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen-2 (CATS-2).

You may not qualify if:

• \. Does not present with trauma-related distress (score falls within the "Normal" range as measured by the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen-2 Self- and Parent-Report).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center: lead
• National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

Lebanon, New Hampshire, 03756, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Autistic Disorder; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Wounds and Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Stress Disorders, Traumatic

Study Officials

• Kaitlyn Ahlers, PhD

  Dartmouth Health

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Kaitlyn Ahlers, PhD

CONTACT

603-650-7075; kaitlyn.p.ahlers@hitchcock.org

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 12, 2026
• First Posted: February 19, 2026
• Study Start: May 5, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 28, 2027
• Last Updated: May 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)