Behavior Therapy for Irritability in Children With Autism and Intellectual Disability
Tests a modified behavior therapy for irritability in children with autism and intellectual disability.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability
Key facts
- Where
- New Haven, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 8 and 16 years old?
Source: NCT02914951, who can take part
Where in United States
- Yale Child Study CenterNew Haven, United StatesNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Yale University
- Trial code
- NCT02914951
- Record updated
- 8 May 2026
- Original description
In addition to the core symptoms, children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit disruptive behavior problems including irritability, tantrums, noncompliance, and aggression. The purpose of this study is to investigate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for disruptive behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability. This pilot study will include children with ASD and IQ between 55 and 85 in an open study of CBT. CBT is modified in this study to reduce complexity of activities during therapy sessions but retains all key elements and principles of CBT. Assessments of irritability and disruptive behavior will include clinical interviews, parent ratings and child self-report measures. Study participants will be asked to complete functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to evaluate biomarkers of social perception and emotion regulation before and after CBT.Read full original descriptionShow less
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Disruptive Behavior in Children and Adolescents (An Open Pilot Study in Autism Spectrum Disorder)
In addition to the core symptoms, children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit disruptive behavior problems including irritability, tantrums, noncompliance, and aggression. The purpose of this study is to investigate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for disruptive behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability. This pilot study will include children with ASD and IQ between 55 and 85 in an open study of CBT. CBT is modified in this study to reduce complexity of activities during therapy sessions but retains all key elements and principles of CBT. Assessments of irritability and disruptive behavior will include clinical interviews, parent ratings and child self-report measures. Study participants will be asked to complete functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to evaluate biomarkers of social perception and emotion regulation before and after CBT.
Inclusion: DSM-5 diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder; Presence of disruptive behaviors such as irritability and anger outbursts; IQ between 55 and 85; ABC Irritability Scale score greater than or equal to 15; Un-medicated or on stable medication regimen; Able to complete all study assessment and fMRI procedures.
Exclusion: Medical or psychiatric condition that would require alternative treatment.