A Comparison of Two Brief Suicide Prevention Interventions Tailored for Youth on the Autism Spectrum

Part of paid clinical trials in Baltimore, Maryland.

Sponsor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Study ID
NCT05398250
Status
Enrolling By Invitation

Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
12 Years - 99 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Safety Planning Intervention tailored for Autistic Individuals — BEHAVIORAL
    To develop the SPI-A, clinicians work collaboratively with patients, and when indicated, their family members, to create a list of concrete coping mechanisms to be enacted leading up to or during a crisis. This list can be depicted in writing or pictorially, depending on patient preference. As part of the intervention, patients (and family members, when appropriate) also identify warning signs that signal the need to use the safety plan, as well as a detailed plan for reducing access to lethal means. SPI-A is a stand-alone intervention without a follow-up component.
  • Safety Planning Intervention Tailored for Autistic Individuals Plus Structured Follow-Up Contacts — BEHAVIORAL
    SPI-A+ includes SPI-A plus a structured follow-up component. The structured follow-up component of SPI-A+ includes three elements: 1. A brief risk assessment and mood check 2. Review and, if needed, revision of SPI-A 3. Support related to outpatient mental health treatment initiation

Study Details

Rates of suicide have increased significantly over the past two decades, particularly among youth. Compared to the general population, autistic people are significantly more likely to think about suicide, attempt suicide, and die by suicide. Autistic individuals have identified suicide prevention as a top research priority; however, little is known about how to best help autistic youth at risk for suicide. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of two suicide prevention strategies tailored for autistic individuals: the Safety Planning Intervention tailored for Autistic individuals (SPI-A) and SPI-A plus structured follow-up contacts (SPI-A+).

Key Dates

Start date
Aug 23, 2022
Status verified
Feb 2026
Primary completion
Nov 30, 2027
Completion
Nov 30, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
1,665 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Active Comparator: Safety Planning Intervention Tailored for Autistic Individuals
    The Safety Planning Intervention Tailored for Autistic individuals (SPI-A) is a brief collaborative intervention that results in an individually tailored plan designed to lower the short-term risk of suicide in autistic youth.
  • Active Comparator: Safety Planning Intervention Tailored for Autistic Individuals Plus Structured Follow-Up Contacts
    The Safety Planning Intervention Tailored for Autistic individuals plus structured follow-up contacts (SPI-A+) is a multi-component intervention comprised of SPI-A and structured follow-up consisting of at least 2 brief contacts.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in suicidal ideation and behavior [ Time Frame: Through 12 months of follow-up ]

Locations (5)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Kennedy Krieger InstituteBaltimoreMaryland21113-
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth Carolina27510-
Nationwide Children's HospitalColumbusOhio43205-
Children's Hospital of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania19104-
Seattle Children's HospitalSeattleWashington98105-

Find similar trials in Baltimore, MD

By condition
Autism spectrum disorder
By specialty
Pediatrics
By research site
Kennedy Krieger Institute· Baltimore, MDUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill· Chapel Hill, NCNationwide Children's Hospital· Columbus, OHChildren's Hospital of Pennsylvania· Philadelphia, PASeattle Children's Hospital· Seattle, WA

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