Culturally Adapted Transition Program for Autism

Overseen By Katherine Loveland

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Disqualifiers: Psychotic disorder, Suicidal ideation, Severe substance use, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial evaluates a program called Launching! to Adulthood (¡Iniciando! la Adultez) to assess its effectiveness in helping Latino young adults with autism transition to adult life. Researchers measure participant satisfaction, completion rates, and potential changes in brain structure and connections. The program suits Latino young adults with autism who speak English and have parents willing to participate. The goal is to determine if this culturally adapted program can effectively support these young adults in their journey to adulthood. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research tailored to their community.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It might be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this program is safe for participants?

Research has shown that the Launching! to Adulthood (¡Iniciando! la Adultez) program has been tested for safety and effectiveness. Early results indicate that participants generally handle the program well. In past studies, young adults with autism who joined the program reported high satisfaction, suggesting a positive overall experience with no major safety issues.

The program aims to help Latino young adults with autism transition to adulthood, using proven methods to support this process. So far, studies have reported no significant unexpected medical problems, indicating the program is safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Launching! to Adulthood (¡Iniciando! la Adultez) program because it offers a culturally adapted approach to supporting young adults with autism as they transition into adulthood. Unlike existing options that might not account for cultural nuances, this program is specifically tailored to meet diverse cultural needs, enhancing its relevance and effectiveness. The program doesn't just focus on medical treatments but emphasizes life skills and personal development, which are crucial for independence in adulthood. By providing a more holistic and personalized support system, this program has the potential to fill a significant gap in the current standard of care for autism transition services.

What evidence suggests that the Launching! to Adulthood program is effective for autism?

Research has shown that the Launching! to Adulthood (¡Iniciando! la Adultez) program, studied in this trial, holds promise for young Latino adults with autism. In an earlier study, participants demonstrated significant improvements in social interactions and daily task management after completing the program. These improvements help them connect better with others and manage everyday life. Participants also find the program practical and enjoyable. While more research is needed, these early results suggest the program could aid young adults with autism in transitioning to adulthood. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Antonio Pagan, PhD

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Latino youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder who speak English, have a certain score on the Social Communication Questionnaire, and meet DSM-5 criteria for ASD. They must have been previously diagnosed by a professional and have a parent willing to participate. Participants should not have severe substance use disorders, current enrollment in another ASD trial, or be unwilling to complete study procedures.

Inclusion Criteria

You demonstrate DSM-5 criteria for ASD based on a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 symptom inventory.

You have achieved a score of 85 or more on the Verbal IQ subscale of the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT-2).

You have a score of 14 or higher on the SCQ-L110, completed with either your mother or father.

Exclusion Criteria

Suicidal ideation with intent or plan

I have a history of or currently experience severe mental health symptoms.

Current alcohol or other substance use disorder rated severe

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the culturally adapted ¡Iniciando! la Adultez program, focusing on mental health and transition to adulthood

12 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

6 months

3 month and 6 month follow-up visits

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Launching! to Adulthood (¡Iniciando! la Adultez) program

Trial Overview The study is testing the Launching! to Adulthood (¡Iniciando! la Adultez) program's acceptability and feasibility among Latino youth transitioning into adulthood. It aims to see if there's any positive change from before to after completing the program.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Launching! to Adulthood (¡Iniciando! la Adultez) program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Lead Sponsor

Trials

974

Recruited

361,000+

UTHealth Houston Seed Grant and Autism Speaks Fellowship

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

60+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Low-income and racial/ethnic minority youth with autism face significant disparities in accessing transition services, leading to lower participation in transition planning, postsecondary education, and competitive employment compared to their White and higher-income peers.

These disparities result in a higher likelihood of disconnection from educational, occupational, and social activities as these youth enter adulthood, highlighting the need for further research to understand and address the underlying causes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Disparities Based on Race, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status Over the Transition to Adulthood Among Adolescents and Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum: a Systematic Review. Eilenberg, JS., Paff, M., Harrison, AJ., et al.[2022]

The BOOST-A™ program, designed for adolescents on the autism spectrum, showed promising results in enhancing specific areas of self-determination and career exploration, particularly at home, based on a quasi-randomized controlled trial with 94 participants over 12 months.

While the program did not significantly improve overall self-determination or career planning at school, it suggests potential benefits for career readiness, indicating a need for further research to explore its effectiveness in post-secondary education and employment contexts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of the BOOST-A™ online transition planning program for adolescents on the autism spectrum: a quasi-randomized controlled trial. Hatfield, M., Falkmer, M., Falkmer, T., et al.[2022]

The study highlights the successful cultural adaptation of an evidence-based transition program, Juntos en la Transición, specifically designed for Spanish-speaking Latino families of youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Feedback from five participating families indicated high social validity of the program, suggesting that culturally relevant supports are crucial for effectively addressing the transition needs of Latino youth with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Cultural Adaptation of a Transition Program for Latino Families of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kuhn, JL., Vanegas, SB., Salgado, R., et al.[2021]

Family caregivers of adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) identified five key areas for improving services: providing clear guidance on available services, enhancing access to these services, addressing unmet needs, increasing autism education for families and society, and fostering strong relationships with families.

These insights were gathered from a study involving 174 family caregivers, highlighting the importance of caregiver perspectives in shaping effective support systems for youth with ASD transitioning to adulthood.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Don't Promise Something You can't Deliver:" Caregivers' Advice for Improving Services to Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism. Berg, KA., Ishler, KJ., Lytle, S., et al.[2023]

A randomized controlled trial involving 30 young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) showed that a tailored 10-week transition service significantly improved self-reported Quality of Life and Self-Determination outcomes.

Participants in the intervention group reported a 2-point increase in Quality of Life and a similar improvement in Self-Determination skills, indicating that targeted support can enhance important life skills for adults with ASD during their transition to adulthood.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Results of a RCT on a Transition Support Program for Adults with ASD: Effects on Self-Determination and Quality of Life. Nadig, A., Flanagan, T., White, K., et al.[2019]

The study found that a structured intervention program significantly improved adaptive functioning in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a strong correlation to the intensity of the interventions and the severity of symptoms, based on evaluations conducted over one year.

However, the intervention did not show a significant impact on the quality of life for families, indicating that while individual outcomes can improve, family dynamics may require additional support or different approaches.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Diagnostic assessment, therapeutic care and education pathways in persons with autism spectrum disorder in transition from childhood to adulthood: the Italian National Ev.A Longitudinal Project. Valenti, M., Mazza, M., Arduino, GM., et al.[2023]

The Mental Health Department of Piacenza has launched a comprehensive program aimed at providing individualized support for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), particularly during their transition to adulthood.

The program emphasizes the development of a 'life project' that focuses on enhancing daily living skills, job placement, and fostering meaningful relationships to improve the overall quality of life for people with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Network of services facilitating and supporting job placement for people with autism spectrum disorders. The experience of the ASL Piacenza, Italy. Cappa, C., Figoli, M., Rossi, P.[2021]

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder face significant challenges during the transition to adulthood, including social cognition deficits and executive dysfunction, which can lead to poor outcomes in various aspects of adult life.

To improve outcomes for these individuals, healthcare providers should implement interventions such as social skills training, educational transition programs, and supported employment programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Transition to Adulthood for Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Wisner-Carlson, R., Uram, S., Flis, T.[2021]

The STEPS program, designed for adolescents and emerging adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), was found to be acceptable and effectively implemented, showing significant improvements in transition readiness for high school students (n = 59) compared to those receiving usual transition services.

Participants in STEPS who were enrolled in postsecondary education demonstrated better adaptation to college life than those in the transition as usual group, highlighting the program's potential to support successful educational transitions for young adults with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving Transition to Adulthood for Students with Autism: A Randomized Controlled Trial of STEPS. White, SW., Smith, IC., Miyazaki, Y., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20473869.2025.2545960?src=

Phase 1 clinical trial of ¡Iniciando! la adultez: a culturally ... Young adults showed significant post-treatment improvements on measures of social responsiveness (SRS-2), adaptive behavior (ABAS-3), executive functioning ( ...

2. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/383059013_Iniciando_la_Adultez_Launching_to_Adulthood_A_cultural_and_linguistic_adaptation_of_a_group_therapy_program_for_young_adults_with_autism_spectrum_disorder_transitioning_to_adulthood

¡Iniciando! la Adultez (Launching! to Adulthood): A cultural ... The present study provided initial feasibility and acceptability data for a therapy program for Latino young adults with ASD transitioning to ...

3. osf.io osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/qms37_v1

¡Iniciando! la Adultez (Launching! to Adulthood): A cultural ... The present study provided initial feasibility and acceptability data for a therapy program for Latino young adults with ASD transitioning to adulthood and ...

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40156911/

Launching! To Adulthood, A Culturally Adapted Treatment ... This study evaluates the preliminary efficacy of an adapted telehealth intervention, the Military-Launching! program, designed to support young adults with ASD ...

5. rcej.scholasticahq.com rcej.scholasticahq.com/article/120542-_launching-_-to-adulthood-a-group-counseling-initiative-for-young-adults-with-neurodevelopmental-differences-transitioning-to-adulthood-and-their-fam

Launching! to Adulthood: A Group Counseling Initiative for ... The present study sought to provide initial feasibility and acceptability data for a parallel young adult and family member group treatment ...

6. med.uth.edu med.uth.edu/psychiatry/autism-spectrum-disorder/researchstudies/launching-to-adulthood-program-2/

Launching! To Adulthood Program | McGovern Medical School The Launching! to Adulthood program helps autistic young adults reach their full potential while supporting their parents. The Launching! to Adulthood program ...

7. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/381896116_Launching_to_Adulthood_A_Group_Counseling_Initiative_for_Young_Adults_With_Neurodevelopmental_Differences_Transitioning_to_Adulthood_and_Their_Family_members

Launching! to Adulthood: A Group Counseling Initiative for ... Launching! to adulthood is an 8-week program utilizing evidence-based interventions to reduce distress and support the transition to independence for young ...