Pilot Trial of the RUBI Program for Autistic Adults

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Behavior
• Parenting

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - N/A

Healthy Volunteers

Not accepted

Interventions

• RUBI-A — BEHAVIORAL
  The RUBI-A intervention includes 9 sessions covering Behavioral Principles, Prevention Strategies, Visual Supports, Reinforcement, Co-Regulation, Supporting Communication, Effective Instructions, Teaching Skills, and Generalization and Maintenance. RUBI teaches skills to help build a behavioral "toolbox" for challenging behaviors and adaptive skills. RUBI emphasizes: 1) tailoring the intervention to the specific individual; 2) identifying behavioral function instead of topography to inform behavioral strategy choice; 3) increasing appropriate behaviors; and 4) using positive behavioral supports,39,40 such as antecedent management (e.g., use of visual supports), reinforcement, and functional communication strategies to support independence, self-help, and safety skills.
• R-ISLEA — BEHAVIORAL
  R-ISLEA training focuses on increasing core knowledge and understanding of autism, but it does not provide specific guidance on behavioral strategies for managing challenging behaviors. Developed by autism experts at Drexel University in collaboration with autistic self-advocates, ISLEA is a commercially available psychoeducation program designed for educators, direct support staff, families, caregivers, and autistic individuals. If English is not the language of care for a dyad, subtitles in the preferred language will be provided for the webinars, and interpreters will be available for the live sessions.

Study Details

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate if a redesigned version of the RUBI parenting intervention can reduce challenging behaviors and improve adaptive skills in autistic adults with co-occurring challenging behaviors. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is the redesigned RUBI intervention feasible and acceptable for autistic adults and their families? * Does the redesigned RUBI intervention reduce challenging behaviors and enhance the quality of life for autistic adults? * Researchers will compare the redesigned RUBI intervention to an active control group, Introduction to the Science and Lived Experience of Autism (ISLEA), to see if RUBI is more effective in improving outcomes for autistic adults and their families. Participants will: * Attend sessions where they receive either the RUBI intervention or the ISLEA program. * Engage in activities designed to promote communication, co-regulation, and autonomy in the context of supporting autistic adults. * Complete assessments at the start, throughout, and at the end of the 20-week trial to evaluate outcomes such as challenging behaviors, adaptive skills, and quality of life.

Key Dates

Start date

Sep 1, 2024

Status verified

Sep 2024

Primary completion

Dec 31, 2024

Completion

Dec 31, 2024

Study Design

Enrollment

80 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Arms

• Experimental: RUBI-A
  Recently redesigned version of the RUBI program for autistic adults and their caregivers
• Active Comparator: R-ISLEA
  Psychoeducation control condition

Primary Outcome Measure

Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI) [ Time Frame: We will use the 24-item Caregiver Reactivity scale for screening, the full 30-item Caregiver form at Baseline, Week 8, Week 16, and Week 20, and the 13-item Self-Report scale at Baseline, Week 8, Week 16, and Week 20. ]

Central Contacts

• Daina M Tagavi, PhD
  206-987-0216
  [email protected]
• Catherine Dick, PhD
  [email protected]

Locations (3)

Find similar trials in Jupiter, FL

Related Studies

• Project PEAK: Early Intervention for ADHD
  Recruiting · Lehigh University · Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• A Comparison of Two Brief Suicide Prevention Interventions Tailored for Youth on the Autism Spectrum
  Enrolling By Invitation · University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Baltimore, Maryland
• Natural Helpers and PCIT
  Recruiting · University of Miami · Miami, Florida
• International Multicentric Observational Study to Characterize Subpopulations of Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder
  Recruiting · Stalicla SA · Phoenix, Arizona