RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Adaptation of the NEAR Cognitive Remediation Method to Child and Adult Autism by Including Social Scenarios and Skills

This study is testing a new way to help teenagers and adults who have autism. It's an updated version of a method called NEAR, which usually helps people with thinking and learning difficulties. The new version, called NEAR-TSA, adds activities that focus on social skills and understanding social situations. This is because people with autism sometimes find social interactions challenging. The researchers hope that by including these social scenarios, the NEAR-TSA method will help participants not only with their thinking skills but also with their social abilities. It's designed to be a complete programme for those aged 13 to 40 with an autism diagnosis, aiming to see if these changes make the method even more helpful for them.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier St Anne

Enrolment target

Start

24 Jan 2023

Estimated completion

15 Dec 2026

Autism Spectrum Disorder

What is this study about?

This study is about making an existing support programme called NEAR even better for people with autism. The NEAR programme is already used to help individuals who have difficulties with things like memory, attention, and planning. While it's been helpful, the current NEAR method doesn't specifically focus on social understanding, which can be a key area for people with autism.

The researchers want to change that by adding special social scenarios and activities to the NEAR programme. They're calling this new version NEAR-TSA. The idea is that by directly addressing social situations, the NEAR-TSA programme will help participants improve their social knowledge and skills alongside their thinking abilities. They hope this will make the programme much more useful and complete for teenagers and adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Ultimately, this study aims to see if this updated programme can make a real difference in the lives of people with autism, helping them with both their daily thinking tasks and their social interactions. It's about finding the best ways to support individuals on the autism spectrum to thrive.

Key takeaways

This study tests a new autism support programme called NEAR-TSA.
It aims to improve both thinking skills and social understanding.
It's for teenagers (13-15) and adults (16-40) with an autism diagnosis.
Participation involves weekly sessions over several months and follow-up assessments.
The programme includes computer exercises, discussions, and social scenarios.
Joining is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). You'll also need to be aged between 13 and 40 years old. Before you can take part, doctors will confirm your diagnosis using specific assessments.

For children, you should be attending a mainstream (non-specialised) school. Both teenagers and adults must show that their thinking and communication skills are good enough to understand the study's activities. If you're taking any medication for mental health, it needs to have been stable for at least a month.

You cannot join if you have certain other conditions, like a known intellectual disability, problems understanding instructions, or a neurological illness. Also, if you've had a type of brain treatment called electroconvulsive therapy recently, or if you're taking specific anxiety medications or anticholinergic drugs, you won't be able to participate. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are also unable to join, as are people who've had similar programmes in the last two years.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Have I been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Am I between 13 and 40 years old?
Do I attend one of the clinics involved in this research?
Are my thinking and communication skills strong enough to follow instructions?
If I'm a child, do I attend a mainstream school?
If I take medication, has it been stable for over a month?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join, you'll first have a full check-up to see how you're doing clinically and functionally. This initial check-up also includes some tests of your thinking skills. Then, you'll start the NEAR-TSA programme.

If you're a teenager (13-15 years old), you'll have one session per week. Each session lasts between 90 to 120 minutes, including one or two short breaks, for a total of 32 weeks (about 8 months). If you're an adult (16-40 years old), you'll have two 90-minute sessions per week for 16 weeks (about 4 months), with no breaks during the sessions.

Each session involves about 30 minutes of computer-based exercises, followed by 15 minutes to talk about the exercises and the strategies you used. The rest of the time is spent in 'bridging groups' which include social scenarios. After completing the programme, you'll have two more check-ups: one within a month of finishing and another three months later, to see how you're getting on.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer you a chance to improve your thinking and social skills through the NEAR-TSA programme, which is an adapted version of a method that has helped others. While the specific benefits for you can't be guaranteed, the study aims to make this support more effective for people with autism. There are no known physical risks associated with this type of cognitive training. You might find some of the assessments or exercises challenging, or they could take up your time. Remember, joining any research study is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw at any point without needing to give a reason.

Locations (1)

GHU Paris Saint-Anne
Verified postcode
Paris, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is NEAR-TSA?

NEAR-TSA is a special programme designed to help people with autism improve their thinking skills and better understand social situations.

How long does the study last?

For teenagers, it's about 8 months with one session per week. For adults, it's about 4 months with two sessions per week, plus follow-up checks.

Will I have to take any new medication?

No, this study focuses on a training programme, not new medications. If you're already on medication, it needs to be stable.

What happens if I decide to stop participating?

You are free to leave the study at any time without giving a reason, and it won't affect your medical care.

Is this programme available to everyone?

This is a research study, so it's only available to people who meet specific criteria, like age and diagnosis, and are attending certain clinics.

How to find out more

Laura Nailler

ext.nailler@ghu-paris.fr 01.45.65.76.78 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.