Comparing Two Suicide Prevention Plans for Autistic Youth
Compares two brief safety planning approaches for autistic youth at risk of suicide.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: A Comparison of Two Brief Suicide Prevention Interventions Tailored for Youth on the Autism Spectrum
Key facts
- Where
- Baltimore, Chapel Hill, Columbus, Philadelphia, and Seattle, United StatesSee the 5 sites
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 12 and 99 years old?
Source: NCT05398250, who can take part
Where in United States
- Kennedy Krieger InstituteBaltimore, United StatesNo longer taking part
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, United StatesNo longer taking part
- Nationwide Children's HospitalColumbus, United StatesNo longer taking part
- Children's Hospital of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, United StatesNo longer taking part
- Seattle Children's HospitalSeattle, 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
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Trial code
- NCT05398250
- Record updated
- 10 February 2026
- Original description
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+).Read full original descriptionShow less
A Comparison of Two Brief Suicide Prevention Interventions Tailored for Youth on the Autism Spectrum
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+).
Inclusion: 12-24 years old; Scheduled for a clinical visit with a consented clinician Exclusion criteria: None; A.2 - Enhanced EHR-Only Arm:; Meets inclusion criteria for the Basic EHR-Only arm; Receives one of the interventions being studied (SPI-A or SPI-A+) as part of routine clinical care; Meets inclusion criteria for the Enhanced EHR-Only arm; Referred to the study team by a consented clinician; Able and willing to provide informed consent (age 18+) or assent and parental/guardian consent (age < 18); Able to speak English (and, if applicable, at least one guardian also able to speak English); Employment as a provider serving autistic patients at one of the study sites; Employment in a role that involves suicide risk intervention with youth patients at a participating clinic; Able to read and speak English; Able and willing to provide informed consent; Health system or clinic leader at one of the study sites; Employed in a role that provides administrative oversight to clinicians conducting safety plans with patients; Able to read and speak English; Able and willing to provide informed consent.
Exclusion: A.3 - Active PRO Arm:; (B) Clinician Participants; (C) Health System Leader Participants.
(A) Patient Participants; Please note that that eligibility criteria differ for each distinct patient subgroup as defined below; A.1 - Basic EHR-Only Arm.