Rideshare Training for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Overseen By Alissa Brooke

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University

Disqualifiers: Severe intellectual disability, Rideshare users, Pregnancy

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

13 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the idea that Rideshare Training for Autism Spectrum Disorder is an effective treatment?

The available research does not provide specific data on the effectiveness of Rideshare Training for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Instead, it focuses on other training programs for autism, such as the PLAY Project Home Consultation program, which showed significant improvements in children's emotional functioning. Other studies discuss training programs for healthcare providers and community-based care models like ECHO Autism, which have been successful in increasing knowledge and skills for treating autism. However, there is no direct comparison or data available for Rideshare Training specifically. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for the Rideshare Training for Autism Spectrum Disorder?

The provided research does not contain any safety data specifically related to the Rideshare Training for Autism Spectrum Disorder or any similarly named programs. The studies focus on the safety of medications like risperidone and aripiprazole in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, but do not address non-medication interventions such as the Rideshare Training Program. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Is the Rideshare Training Program a promising treatment for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Yes, the Rideshare Training Program is promising because it helps people with Autism Spectrum Disorder learn to drive, which can increase their independence and improve their quality of life. It addresses the unique driving challenges faced by individuals with autism and aims to make them safer drivers. ^{11 12 13 14 15}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Community mobility is critical for living independently and engaging in one's community. It is especially important for people in their early adult years, as this is often a time of transition to employment and living independently. Community mobility can be particularly challenging for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) (henceforth referred to as autistic adults based on the preferred identity-first language of our autistic partners). Some autistic adults are unable to meet the demands of driving. Public transportation is an option for autistic adults; and autistic adults are more likely to use public transportation than their non-autistic counterparts. However, using public transportation may be just as challenging as driving for the autistic population. Rideshare (also called ride-hailing) is a relatively new form of transportation in which passengers get from point A to point B in private vehicles driven by their owners. A digital app, usually accessed on a smartphone, matches passengers and drivers, coordinates routes using a GPS system, and facilitates payment through a linked financial account. Rideshare has the potential to address many of the issues autistic adults have accessing the community. It is faster and more direct than the public train or bus, there is limited social interaction required, and rides can be scheduled at any time. Despite it's potential to increase transportation in autistic adults, there are no evidence-based training programs to support Rideshare use in this population.

Research Team

Stacey Reynolds

Principal Investigator

Virginia Commonwealth University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for early adult individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder who may find it challenging to drive or use public transportation. It aims to help them live independently and engage in their community by teaching them how to effectively use rideshare services.

Inclusion Criteria

I can communicate in English on my own.

Living within 100 miles of Richmond, Virginia

Participants need to have a stable internet connection

Exclusion Criteria

Exclude pregnant women

Exclude any individual who already uses Rideshare independently

My IQ is above 35, allowing me to travel alone to familiar places.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

The experimental group receives the SRP intervention for 5 weeks

5 weeks

Follow-up

The experimental group participates in a 2-month follow-up period to assess changes in community engagement, social participation, and employment

8 weeks

Waitlist

The waitlist group receives no intervention initially, then receives the SRP intervention after the experimental group's follow-up

5 weeks

Follow-up

The waitlist group participates in a 2-month follow-up period after receiving the SRP intervention

8 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Rideshare Training Program

Trial Overview The study tests a training program designed to improve the ability of autistic adults to use rideshare apps for better community mobility. Participants will go through ride-along sessions, an intervention phase, and virtual training.

Participant Groups

Group I: Waitlist Group Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

The waitlist group receives no intervention (Phase 1) at first. After the 2-month intervention period, the waitlist group will receive the intervention, while the experimental group participates in a 2-month follow-up

Group II: Experimental Group Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

The experimental group will receive the intervention first then a 2-month follow-up

Rideshare Training Program is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Rideshare Training Program for:

• Improving access to community-based occupations for autistic adults

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Virginia Commonwealth University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

732

Recruited

22,900,000+

Organization for Autism Research

Collaborator

Trials

7

Recruited

110+

Findings from Research

The PLAY Project Home Consultation program, which trains parents to use the DIR/Floortime model, showed significant improvements in child development for 68 children with autism over an 8-12 month period, with 45.5% achieving good to very good progress.

Parents reported a high satisfaction rate of 90% with the program, and the average cost of $2500 per year suggests it may be a cost-effective intervention for supporting young children with autism.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot study of a parent training program for young children with autism: the PLAY Project Home Consultation program. Solomon, R., Necheles, J., Ferch, C., et al.[2022]

The 45-minute ASD-training curriculum for hospital security officers significantly improved their comfort levels in interacting with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with scores rising from 3.48 to 4.1 over three months.

Knowledge about ASD also increased, with correct responses on knowledge questions rising from 74.6% to 82.9%, and officers reported using supportive strategies more frequently, indicating the training's effectiveness in practical application.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development of a Training Curriculum for Hospital Security About Autism Spectrum Disorder. Christiansen, A., Harstad, E., Sideridis, G., et al.[2023]

A training program for healthcare providers working with children with autism spectrum disorder in São Paulo, Brazil, significantly improved staff knowledge and attitudes, as indicated by enhanced scores on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) questionnaire after the training.

The program was well-received by participants and demonstrated feasibility for multidisciplinary teams in psychosocial care centers, suggesting it could be effectively implemented in similar settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a provider training program on the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder at psychosocial care units in Brazil. Silva, LC., Teixeira, MCTV., Ribeiro, EL., et al.[2019]

LEND programs across the U.S. provide essential interdisciplinary training for pediatric providers, addressing the growing demand for services for children with developmental disabilities like autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Data from 22 LEND programs over five years show that trainees significantly improved their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in key areas such as team building and family partnerships, highlighting the effectiveness of these training programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Quality Improvement Network for Interdisciplinary Training in Developmental Disabilities. Smith, JD., Nidey, N., Chödrön, GS., et al.[2022]

ECHO Autism is an educational program designed to train local healthcare providers in diagnosing and managing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), addressing the shortage of trained professionals and improving access to quality care for children with ASD.

The program is effective in meeting the complex needs of children with ASD, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and its flexible model allows for global adaptation to different social contexts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Project Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) Autism: A Successful Model to Increase Capacity in Community-Based Care. Sohl, K., Rynkiewicz, A., Nanclares-Nogués, V., et al.[2022]

Risperidone has been found to be effective and safe in treating specific behavioral issues in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), such as irritability, aggression, and hyperactivity, based on a review of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

However, risperidone does not significantly improve the core symptoms of autism, which include social skill impairments and communication difficulties.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Role of risperidone in children with autism spectrum disorder. Chavez, B., Chavez-Brown, M., Rey, JA.[2013]

Out of 150 studies on non-medication interventions for young autistic children, only 11 reported any adverse events, highlighting a significant gap in safety reporting in this area of research.

Among the studies that did report on participant withdrawal, 10 identified reasons that could be classified as adverse events, suggesting that researchers need to improve their methods for tracking and reporting these occurrences to better inform families and professionals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse event reporting in intervention research for young autistic children. Bottema-Beutel, K., Crowley, S., Sandbank, M., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 510 pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder, aripiprazole demonstrated a high continuation rate of treatment, with 84.6% of patients still on the medication after 24 weeks, indicating its effectiveness and tolerability in real-world settings.

The treatment led to a significant reduction in irritability symptoms, as measured by the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, with a mean score change of -5.7 after 4 weeks, showing that aripiprazole can effectively manage irritability in children and adolescents with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aripiprazole in the real-world treatment for irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder in children and adolescents in Japan: 52-week post-marketing surveillance. Sugimoto, Y., Yamamura, K., Takayama, T., et al.[2021]

In a 36-month study involving 83 adults with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, it was found that half of the participants were on polypharmacy, taking a median of four medications, primarily antipsychotics.

The study identified 64 adverse events, mostly linked to risperidone, with significant concerns about safety, including unexpected side effects like hypercholesterolemia and rhabdomyolysis, highlighting the need for increased awareness of medication safety in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The challenge of detecting adverse events in adults with autism spectrum disorder who have intellectual disability. Ballester, P., Espadas, C., Londoño, AC., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 101 children with autism spectrum disorder, risperidone significantly reduced serious behavioral problems without causing adverse cardiac conduction effects, as measured by QTc intervals.

There was no significant difference in QTc changes between the risperidone and placebo groups, indicating that risperidone is safe for cardiac function in this population when used at conventional doses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

No Apparent Cardiac Conduction Effects of Acute Treatment with Risperidone in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Vo, LC., Snyder, C., McCracken, C., et al.[2018]

Individuals on the autism spectrum exhibit different driving characteristics compared to neurotypical drivers, particularly in tactical skills, which may impact their driving safety, although the exact effects are not fully understood.

There is a lack of autism-specific driver training programs, but existing evidence suggests that targeted training can improve driving skills, highlighting the need for the development of effective programs to support independence and safety for these individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Scoping Review of the Driving Behaviour of and Driver Training Programs for People on the Autism Spectrum. Wilson, NJ., Lee, HC., Vaz, S., et al.[2019]

In a randomized controlled trial involving 72 student drivers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), both the intervention group receiving a Driving Training Program and the control group showed improvements in driving performance after ten lessons.

Although both groups improved, the differences in performance between the intervention and control groups were not statistically significant, suggesting that while the training program is promising, further research is needed to determine its effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Driver Training Program Intervention for Student Drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Multi-site Randomised Controlled Trial. Vindin, P., Cordier, R., Wilson, NJ., et al.[2021]

A study involving 50 young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 57 typically developed adults revealed that while some individuals with ASD feel confident in their driving abilities, others experience anxiety and prefer alternative transportation methods like public transport.

The findings suggest that tailored driver training programs addressing specific challenges faced by individuals with ASD, such as anxiety and navigation difficulties, could improve their driving experience and promote more inclusive transport policies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Viewpoints on driving of individuals with and without autism spectrum disorder. Chee, DY., Lee, HC., Falkmer, M., et al.[2018]

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can effectively learn help-seeking responses, such as making FaceTime calls and using identification cards, through video modeling techniques.

The skills learned not only generalized to new community settings but were also maintained over one to two weeks, indicating lasting efficacy of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teaching help-seeking when lost to individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Carlile, KA., DeBar, RM., Reeve, SA., et al.[2019]

A training program using an iPad® visual activity schedule significantly improved compliance and reduced anxiety in 52 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during dental examinations over an 8-month period.

The percentage of participants able to complete the entire dental exam increased from 25% to 65.4%, and those reporting no anxiety rose from 7.7% to 59.6%, demonstrating the program's effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training children with autism spectrum disorder to undergo oral assessment using a digital iPad&#174; application. Lefer, G., Rouches, A., Bourdon, P., et al.[2022]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot study of a parent training program for young children with autism: the PLAY Project Home Consultation program. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development of a Training Curriculum for Hospital Security About Autism Spectrum Disorder. [2023]

3. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a provider training program on the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder at psychosocial care units in Brazil. [2019]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Quality Improvement Network for Interdisciplinary Training in Developmental Disabilities. [2022]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Project Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) Autism: A Successful Model to Increase Capacity in Community-Based Care. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Role of risperidone in children with autism spectrum disorder. [2013]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse event reporting in intervention research for young autistic children. [2023]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aripiprazole in the real-world treatment for irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder in children and adolescents in Japan: 52-week post-marketing surveillance. [2021]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The challenge of detecting adverse events in adults with autism spectrum disorder who have intellectual disability. [2022]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

No Apparent Cardiac Conduction Effects of Acute Treatment with Risperidone in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. [2018]

11. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Scoping Review of the Driving Behaviour of and Driver Training Programs for People on the Autism Spectrum. [2019]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Driver Training Program Intervention for Student Drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Multi-site Randomised Controlled Trial. [2021]

13. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Viewpoints on driving of individuals with and without autism spectrum disorder. [2018]

14. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teaching help-seeking when lost to individuals with autism spectrum disorder. [2019]

15. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training children with autism spectrum disorder to undergo oral assessment using a digital iPad&#174; application. [2022]