Strength-Based Intervention for Autism

Overseen By Katarina Reduzzi, MA

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Kessler Foundation

Disqualifiers: Stroke, Traumatic brain injury, Schizophrenia, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The trial aims to determine if a strength-based program called KF-STRIDE® can help young adults improve their job interview skills. It targets young adults who find job interviews challenging and wish to enhance their abilities. Participants will either join the program to boost job skills or continue their usual activities as part of a control group. The trial seeks young adults in the U.S. who speak English well and have not experienced major brain or psychiatric issues. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the opportunity to enhance their job skills through a unique program without the constraints of traditional clinical trial phases.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for young adults?

Research has shown that KF-STRIDE® is based on positive psychology and holds value for the neurodiverse community. Previous studies found this treatment generally acceptable and easy to use. Although detailed safety information remains limited, its emphasis on positive psychology suggests good tolerance. As the trial is in the "Not Applicable" phase, it likely involves non-drug methods, which typically present fewer safety concerns than medication trials. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the KF-STRIDE® intervention because it focuses on enhancing character strengths to improve job maintenance skills in young adults with autism. Unlike traditional treatments that might focus on managing symptoms or behavioral challenges, this approach emphasizes personal strengths and how they can be harnessed for better employment outcomes. By targeting job maintenance skills, KF-STRIDE® offers a unique method that could lead to more meaningful and sustained employment opportunities for individuals with autism, which is an area of significant need.

What evidence suggests that KF-STRIDE® is effective for improving job interview skills in young adults with autism?

Research has shown that KF-STRIDE®, a program focused on building strengths, may help young adults on the autism spectrum improve their job interview skills. A small initial study found that participants using KF-STRIDE performed better in interviews and learned more about their personal strengths. This program is based on positive psychology, which aims to build on what people are good at instead of just fixing weaknesses. Early results indicate that KF-STRIDE is well-received and meaningful to the neurodiverse community, suggesting it could help with job interview challenges. While more detailed studies are needed, these early findings are promising. Participants in this trial will join either the Treatment Group, participating in the KF-STRIDE intervention, or the Control Group, continuing with their regular activities. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Helen Genova, Ph. D.

Principal Investigator

Kessler Foundation

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults aged 14-26 in the USA who have Autism or are on the Autism Spectrum and want to improve their job interview skills. Participants should speak English well and be able to read at a 4th grade level.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in the KF-STRIDE web-based intervention to improve job interview skills by learning to identify and communicate their employable strengths.

6-8 weeks

Web-based sessions

Immediate Post-Test

Assessment of job interview skills, strengths knowledge, and other related measures immediately after the intervention.

1 week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for employment status and other outcomes 6 months after the intervention.

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• KF-STRIDE®

Trial Overview The KF-STRIDE® program, a strength-based intervention designed to enhance job interview abilities in young adults with Autism, is being tested for its effectiveness in this study.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Treatment Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

In this arm, participants would participate in in an intervention program that uses character strengths to improve job maintenance skills in young adults.

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

In this arm, participants are services as usual and will participate in their regular activities.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Kessler Foundation

Lead Sponsor

Trials

190

Recruited

11,300+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A randomized controlled trial involving 47 children with autism demonstrated that a parent-delivered qigong massage intervention significantly improved autism measures, sensory responses, and self-regulation over a 4-month period.

The intervention showed a medium effect size for autism improvement and a large effect size for sensory and self-regulatory responses, indicating its effectiveness as an early intervention suitable for home delivery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Early intervention for autism with a parent-delivered Qigong massage program: a randomized controlled trial. Silva, LM., Schalock, M., Gabrielsen, K.[2022]

Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit distinct running biomechanics, including shorter stride lengths and reduced vertical ground reaction forces compared to neurotypical peers, indicating differences in how they run.

Despite these differences, the study suggests that the reduced loading during running may allow youth with ASD to safely participate in running as a form of physical activity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Running Biomechanics of Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Bennett, HJ., Haegele, JA.[2022]

A 12-week physical activity intervention with 25 children on the autism spectrum led to significant improvements in ball skills and isometric push-up performance, indicating enhanced physical fitness and motor competence.

The study found a correlation between motor skills and autism symptoms, suggesting that improving physical abilities may positively impact the overall health and development of children with autism.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promoting Positive Health Outcomes in an Urban Community-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Preschool Aged Children on the Autism Spectrum. Ketcheson, L., Staples, K., Pitchford, EA., et al.[2023]

A study involving 16 children with autism aged 6-10 years showed that an eight-week combined physical training program significantly improved social skills, including communication and reduced stereotypic behaviors.

The same program also enhanced physical fitness indicators such as handgrip strength, power, flexibility, balance, and agility, demonstrating the dual benefits of physical training for children with autism.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Combined Physical Training Strategies Improve Physical Fitness, Behavior, and Social Skills of Autistic Children. Haghighi, AH., Broughani, S., Askari, R., et al.[2023]

Early intervention programs for children with autism have shown positive effects in improving developmental functioning and reducing maladaptive behaviors, based on randomized controlled trials, although the long-term impact on independence and social functioning remains unclear.

Currently, no treatments for early autism meet the highest efficacy standards, with only a few being classified as 'possibly efficacious,' indicating that more rigorous research is needed to identify the most effective interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evidence-based comprehensive treatments for early autism. Rogers, SJ., Vismara, LA.[2022]

A meta-analysis of 29 studies involving 1009 youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) found that physical activity interventions have a moderate overall effect (g = 0.62) on various developmental outcomes.

The interventions showed particularly strong positive effects on skills such as locomotor abilities, manipulative skills, social functioning, and muscular strength, reinforcing physical activity as an effective strategy for supporting youth with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of physical activity interventions on youth with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Healy, S., Nacario, A., Braithwaite, RE., et al.[2019]

A high-intensity exercise program for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability was found to be feasible and safe, with no injuries reported during the 5-week intervention involving 58 participants.

The program led to significant improvements in physical performance, including increased work production and activity levels, as well as enhancements in specific exercise tests like sit-ups and air squats, suggesting it could be beneficial for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and Associated Physical Performance Outcomes of a High-Intensity Exercise Program for Children With Autism. Kozlowski, KF., Lopata, C., Donnelly, JP., et al.[2021]

The study found that several fitness assessments, including the Wingate test and standing long jump, showed good to excellent test-retest reliability in 14 children aged 7-12 on the autism spectrum, indicating these tests can be trusted for consistent results.

Shorter assessments, like the standing long jump, were more reliable than longer tests, suggesting that simpler tests may be better suited for measuring fitness in children with autism for health monitoring and interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reliable and Feasible Fitness Testing for Children on the Autism Spectrum. Bremer, E., Cairney, J.[2020]

Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications that effectively target the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with only risperidone and aripiprazole approved for managing irritability and agitation, which can lead to significant side effects.

A significant number of families (27% to 88%) turn to complementary-integrative medicine (CIM) treatments, such as multivitamins and dietary interventions, due to the perceived safety of these 'natural' options compared to traditional medications, highlighting a need for healthcare providers to better understand and discuss these treatments with families.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Complementary-Integrative Medicine. Vandana, P., Simkin, DR., Hendren, RL., et al.[2023]

The WE PLAY-Autism intervention successfully increased the levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), with significant improvements observed during both the intervention and post-training phases.

While two of the three teachers improved their physical activity facilitating behaviors, the overall increase was not sufficient to establish a clear functional relationship, indicating that further research is needed to optimize teacher engagement in promoting physical activity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a teacher training program to promote physically active play among preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders. Schmidt, EM., Hoffman, JA., Mulé, C., et al.[2021]

A significant 75% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are using supplement-based complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), with multivitamins, vitamin D, and omega-3 being the most common supplements reported.

There is a concerning lack of safety data for some supplements used, such as adrenal cortex extract, and many parents do not fully disclose their child's supplement use to healthcare providers, indicating a need for better public health education on the safety and efficacy of these therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary and Supplement-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Pediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder. Trudeau, MS., Madden, RF., Parnell, JA., et al.[2020]

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face social isolation and physical inactivity due to exclusion from group sports, which can lead to higher rates of overweight and obesity; a study found that 18.1% of children with ASD were overweight and 17% were obese.

The Bear Cubs Running Team, a program established by college student-athletes, aims to provide athletic opportunities for children with ASD, helping them set physical goals and fostering community support, which can improve their health and quality of life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical and Psychosocial Impact of a University-Based, Volunteer Student-Led Running Program for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Marggraff, A., Constantino, JN.[2019]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07168941

Evaluation and Refinement of KF-STRIDE Into the Interview! We will then test the acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and initial efficacy of KF-STRIDE 3.0 among adults on the spectrum. Obtaining ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10537930/

Development and adaptation of a strength-based job ... Future directions include assessing the efficacy of KF-STRIDE in young adults on the spectrum to identify whether employment outcomes are ...

3. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-025-06946-1

Teaching Job Interview Skills Through a Positive ... This pilot RCT suggests that KF-STRIDE may lead to improvements in performance-based job interview skills, knowledge of one's own strengths, and ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04820647?term=AREA%5BBasicSearch%5D(in%20stride)&rank=8&checkSpell=

NCT04820647 | KF STRIDE to Improve Job Interview Skills The long-term goal of the current research is to collect pilot data that will lead to fully-powered effectiveness and implementation evaluations of KF-STRIDE in ...

5. kfstride.org kfstride.org/research/

Research KF-STRIDE is based on well-validated principles of positive psychology. Our research indicates that KF-STRIDE is meaningful to the neurodiverse community and ...

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-autism-spectrum-disorder-5-2024-a2418

Strength-Based Intervention for Autism What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment KF-STRIDE® for autism? ... Running Biomechanics of Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder. [2022] ...

7. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-autism-spectrum-disorder-9-2025-c8bd0

KF-STRIDE for Autism · Info for Participants What is the purpose of this trial? Examine the acceptability, usability, feasibility, and initial efficacy of KF-STRIDE 3.0, the data from which will serve as a ...

8. rwjbh.org rwjbh.org/childrens-specialized-hospital/research/autism-research/

Autism Research | Children's Specialized Hospital The Children's Specialized Hospital Research Center's studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) cover a range of topics from the development of screening tools.