Telehealth behavior support for hospitalized teens and young adults with autism
Tests telehealth behavior support alongside hospital care for hospitalized autistic teens and young adults.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: TeleABA for Hospitalized Adolescents and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Key facts
- Where
- Neptune City and Somerset, United StatesSee the 2 sites
Where in United States
- Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical CenterNeptune City, United StatesNo longer taking part
- Children's Specialized Hospital-Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH-RUCARES)Somerset, 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
- Caring Technologies, Inc.
- Trial code
- NCT07701915
- Record updated
- 14 July 2026
- Original description
This study is evaluating whether a telehealth-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) program can improve the care of adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are hospitalized because of severe challenging behaviors, such as aggression, self-injury, property destruction, or elopement.Read full original descriptionShow less
Transforming Hospitalizations of Autistic Adolescents Via a Novel ABA Telehealth Platform
This study is evaluating whether a telehealth-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) program can improve the care of adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are hospitalized because of severe challenging behaviors, such as aggression, self-injury, property destruction, or elopement.
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard hospital care alone or standard hospital care plus a Telehealth Applied Behavior Analysis for Hospitalized Adolescents and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (TeleABA) program. The TeleABA program includes assessment by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), individualized behavior support recommendations, coaching for hospital staff, caregiver training, discharge planning, and four weekly telehealth sessions with caregivers after the participant leaves the hospital.
Researchers will compare the two groups to determine whether the TeleABA program improves behavioral outcomes, caregiver confidence and stress, hospital experiences, and the transition from the hospital to home. The findings may help identify more effective ways to support individuals with autism and their families during and after behavioral health hospitalizations.
Inclusion: Age 12 years or older; Established or documented diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the electronic medical record or confirmed by the attending provider using DSM-5 criteria; Admitted to a participating Hackensack Meridian Health hospital due to behavioral concerns (e.g., aggression, self-injury, elopement, or property destruction) that contribute to or prolong hospitalization; Behavioral support identified by the attending provider as a primary component of the current admission; Caregiver or legally authorized representative (LAR) able to provide informed consent; Patient assent obtained when applicable; Voluntary, court-mandated, and ward-of-the-state admissions are eligible.
Exclusion: Admission for an acute medical condition in which behavioral concerns are not a primary driver of hospitalization; Medical instability that precludes participation in telehealth sessions; Absence of a caregiver or legally authorized representative able to provide informed consent.