Autism Spectrum DisorderBTIANCT04654260
Behavior Therapy for Irritability in Autism
A study testing Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in Autism and Psychoeducation and Supportive Therapy (PST) in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Irritability, run by Yale University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This is a clinical trial of a novel intervention, Behavioral Therapy for Irritability and Aggression (BTIA), for adolescents on the autism spectrum. The main goals of BTIA are to help adolescents develop emotion regulation skills to handle frustration and to strengthen skills for navigating the challenging and diverse… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 to 19 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Irritability, Disruptive Behavior
- What is being tested?
- Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in Autism and Psychoeducation and Supportive Therapy (PST)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 65 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 10 Dec 2020to 1 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 12 to 19 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Boys and girls, ages 12 to 18 years inclusive
- Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
- Presence of disruptive behaviors such as irritability and anger outbursts
- No planned changes in the intensity of current treatment(s)
- Medication free or on stable medication
- Sufficient language for participation in verbal therapy
- Lives within driving distance from New Haven, CT
Who cannot join
- Presence of a medical condition that would interfere with participation in the study
- Presence of a current psychiatric disorder that requires immediate clinical attention
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Yale Child Study Center
New Haven, Connecticut, 06520
About this study
Official title: Behavior Therapy for Irritability and Aggression in Adolescents With Autism
This is a clinical trial of a novel intervention, Behavioral Therapy for Irritability and Aggression (BTIA), for adolescents on the autism spectrum. The main goals of BTIA are to help adolescents develop emotion regulation skills to handle frustration and to strengthen skills for navigating the challenging and diverse experiences associated with the transition to adulthood. The study will test whether BTIA can be helpful to adolescents on the autism spectrum and to their families.
Read the detailed description
This is a randomized controlled study of BTIA versus a supportive therapy control condition in 126 adolescents (ages 12 to 18 years) with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and significant levels of disruptive behaviors such as aggression, anger outbursts, and oppositional behavior. BTIA consists of 15 ninety-minute weekly sessions that will be conducted with the teens and their parents by therapists using a structured, detailed manual. The effects of BTIA on the reduction of behavioral problems will be rated by an experienced clinician who does not know which treatment each participant is receiving (a "blinded" evaluator). Study participants will receive a thorough diagnostic assessment of autism spectrum disorder and other forms of psychopathology that may co-occur with ASD. In addition to testing the effects of BTIA on disruptive behavior, the changes in adaptive functioning, or children's ability to function competently in their everyday environment, will be examined before and after treatment.
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Irritability, Disruptive Behavior, Anger, Aggression, Asperger Syndrome
- Being tested
- Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in Autism, Psychoeducation and Supportive Therapy (PST)
- Keywords
- autism, adolescents, behavior therapy, treatment, disruptive behavior, irritability, anger, aggression
- Medical subject headings
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Problem Behavior, Aggression, Asperger Syndrome, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Autistic Disorder
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in AutismBehavioural
The child-focused components of BTIA are organized in modules dedicated to emotion regulation, problem solving and practice of planned steps to prevent or resolve conflicts. Each session contains a set of six to seven goals, and each goal contains a menu of techniques and activities that can be used to attain this goal. In order to administer the treatment in a flexible yet reliable manner, the therapist works collaboratively with the child and his or her parents to select activities that are perceived as relevant for attaining the session's goal. The parent-focused components of BTIA include include education about the effects of antecedents and consequences on disruptive behavior, developing strategies for reducing or altering antecedent events that may lead to disruptive reactions and helping parents to use reinforcement of competent and calm responses in potentially frustrating situations.
Psychoeducation and Supportive Therapy (PST)Behavioural
Each PST session will start with a review of events of the past week and include queries of topics such as school, interests, hobbies, and family with an overarching goal of enhancing subjective well-being. A major objective is to enables the participant to discuss his or her concerns with a therapist toward a goal of enhancing overall psychological wellbeing. Education about autism diagnosis and services is also provided to families as part of PST.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in Autism (BTIA) | Experimental | BTIA consists of 15 ninety-minute weekly sessions that will be conducted with the teens and their parents by experienced therapists using a structured, detailed manual. Receives: Behavioral: Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in Autism |
| Psychoeducation and Supportive Therapy (PST) | Active comparator | PST consist of 15 weekly, ninety-minute sessions focused on learning about and discussing issues of diagnosis, treatment and educational services with an experienced therapist could be helpful to children on the autism spectrum and their families. Receives: Behavioral: Psychoeducation and Supportive Therapy (PST) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS)
Modified Overt Aggression Scale is a 16-item scale that reflects the frequency and severity of incidents of aggressive behavior. Scores can range from 0 (minimum) to 300 (maximum) with higher scores reflecting worse outcome.
Measured: baseline (week 0)
Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS)
Modified Overt Aggression Scale is a 16-item scale that reflects the frequency and severity of incidents of aggressive behavior. Scores can range from 0 (minimum) to 300 (maximum) with higher scores reflecting worse outcome.
Measured: midpoint (week 8)
Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS)
Modified Overt Aggression Scale is a 16-item scale that reflects the frequency and severity of incidents of aggressive behavior. Scores can range from 0 (minimum) to 300 (maximum) with higher scores reflecting worse outcome.
Measured: endpoint (week 16)
Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS)
Modified Overt Aggression Scale is a 16-item scale that reflects the frequency and severity of incidents of aggressive behavior. Scores can range from 0 (minimum) to 300 (maximum) with higher scores reflecting worse outcome.
Measured: six-month follow up (week 42)
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score (CGI-I)
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score assigned by an independent evaluator (IE) who will be blind to treatment assignment is the categorical primary outcome measure of aggressive behavior. The CGI-I reflects the IE's assessment of overall change from baseline rated on a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 is very much improved, 2 is much improved, 3 is minimally improved, 4 is no change, 5 is minimally worse, 6 is much worth, and 7 is very much worse. Higher scores reflect worse outcome. By convention, ratings of very much improved (1) or much improved (2) define positive response; all other scores are classified as a negative response.
Measured: baseline (week 0)
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score (CGI-I)
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score assigned by an independent evaluator (IE) who will be blind to treatment assignment is the categorical primary outcome measure of aggressive behavior. The CGI-I reflects the IE's assessment of overall change from baseline rated on a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 is very much improved, 2 is much improved, 3 is minimally improved, 4 is no change, 5 is minimally worse, 6 is much worth, and 7 is very much worse. Higher scores reflect worse outcome. By convention, ratings of very much improved (1) or much improved (2) define positive response; all other scores are classified as a negative response.
Measured: midpoint (week 8)
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score (CGI-I)
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score assigned by an independent evaluator (IE) who will be blind to treatment assignment is the categorical primary outcome measure of aggressive behavior. The CGI-I reflects the IE's assessment of overall change from baseline rated on a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 is very much improved, 2 is much improved, 3 is minimally improved, 4 is no change, 5 is minimally worse, 6 is much worth, and 7 is very much worse. Higher scores reflect worse outcome. By convention, ratings of very much improved (1) or much improved (2) define positive response; all other scores are classified as a negative response.
Measured: endpoint (week 16)
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score (CGI-I)
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score assigned by an independent evaluator (IE) who will be blind to treatment assignment is the categorical primary outcome measure of aggressive behavior. The CGI-I reflects the IE's assessment of overall change from baseline rated on a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 is very much improved, 2 is much improved, 3 is minimally improved, 4 is no change, 5 is minimally worse, 6 is much worth, and 7 is very much worse. Higher scores reflect worse outcome. By convention, ratings of very much improved (1) or much improved (2) define positive response; all other scores are classified as a negative response.
Measured: six-month follow up (week 42)
Irritability subscale - Aberrant Behavioral Checklist
The 15-item Irritability subscale includes questions about aggression, tantrums, agitation, and unstable mood that are rated on a 4-point scale with the following anchor points: 0 = not at all a problem; 1 = the behavior is a problem but slight in degree; 2 = the problem is moderately serious; 3 = the problem is severe in degree. The total Irritability subscale score ranges from 0 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater severity.
Measured: baseline (week 0)
Irritability subscale - Aberrant Behavioral Checklist
The 15-item Irritability subscale includes questions about aggression, tantrums, agitation, and unstable mood that are rated on a 4-point scale with the following anchor points: 0 = not at all a problem; 1 = the behavior is a problem but slight in degree; 2 = the problem is moderately serious; 3 = the problem is severe in degree. The total Irritability subscale score ranges from 0 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater severity.
Measured: midpoint (week 8)
Irritability subscale - Aberrant Behavioral Checklist
The 15-item Irritability subscale includes questions about aggression, tantrums, agitation, and unstable mood that are rated on a 4-point scale with the following anchor points: 0 = not at all a problem; 1 = the behavior is a problem but slight in degree; 2 = the problem is moderately serious; 3 = the problem is severe in degree. The total Irritability subscale score ranges from 0 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater severity.
Measured: endpoint (week 16)
Irritability subscale - Aberrant Behavioral Checklist
The 15-item Irritability subscale includes questions about aggression, tantrums, agitation, and unstable mood that are rated on a 4-point scale with the following anchor points: 0 = not at all a problem; 1 = the behavior is a problem but slight in degree; 2 = the problem is moderately serious; 3 = the problem is severe in degree. The total Irritability subscale score ranges from 0 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater severity.
Measured: six-month follow up (week 42)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales - Communication Domain Score
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition (Vineland-3) is a measure of competence in communication, daily living skills, and socialization which is administered in a semi-structured parent interview format. Items assess the individual's behavior in these domains and are rated according to the frequency with which behaviors are performed without help or prompting (i.e., "Never," "Sometimes" or "Usually"). The raw scores are converted to standard scores (mean = 100, SD = 15; range 40 to 160), and higher scores indicate better adaptive functioning.
Measured: baseline (week 0)
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales - Communication Domain Score
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition (Vineland-3) is a measure of competence in communication, daily living skills, and socialization which is administered in a semi-structured parent interview format. Items assess the individual's behavior in these domains and are rated according to the frequency with which behaviors are performed without help or prompting (i.e., "Never," "Sometimes" or "Usually"). The raw scores are converted to standard scores (mean = 100, SD = 15; range 40 to 160), and higher scores indicate better adaptive functioning.
Measured: endpoint (week 16)
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales - Communication Domain Score
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition (Vineland-3) is a measure of competence in communication, daily living skills, and socialization which is administered in a semi-structured parent interview format. Items assess the individual's behavior in these domains and are rated according to the frequency with which behaviors are performed without help or prompting (i.e., "Never," "Sometimes" or "Usually"). The raw scores are converted to standard scores (mean = 100, SD = 15; range 40 to 160), and higher scores indicate better adaptive functioning.
Measured: six-month follow up (week 42)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Dec 2020
- Study start10 Dec 2020
- Primary completion1 May 2026
- Study completion1 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Autism Spectrum DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Yale UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This is randomized controlled trial of behavior therapy for irritability versus a supportive therapy control condition
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 65 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Yale University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Denis Sukhodolsky, Ph.D., Principal investigator, Yale University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04654260
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 0102012121-5
- Other IDs
- W81XWH2010718
- Acronym
- BTIA
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 2 Dec 2020
- Last updated
- 12 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Research data from this study will be shared via the National Database for Autism Research and NIH Data Repositories (https://nda.nih.gov/) consistent with the Yale University Policy. The data management for this study will be conducted using the OnCore system at YCCI (https://medicine.yale.edu/ycci/oncore/), which enables translation of data to de-identified data sets that can be placed online using GUID technology as specified in Federal guidelines. At the time of permission/consent/assent, participants and their parents will be informed of the data-sharing plan. Raw data generated by the project will be quality-certified by our research team (including fidelity to research procedures, proper file format, artifact removal, and de-identifying, resulting in artifact-free raw data) prior to submission to NDAR for usability. Consistent with the NDAR data sharing policy, data will be submitted, at the individual level, on all enrolled subjects.
Publications
Sukhodolsky DG, Smith SD, McCauley SA, Ibrahim K, Piasecka JB. Behavioral Interventions for Anger, Irritability, and Aggression in Children and Adolescents. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2016 Feb;26(1):58-64. doi: 10.1089/cap.2015.0120. Epub 2016 Jan 8.
PubMed 26745682Scahill L, Bearss K, Lecavalier L, Smith T, Swiezy N, Aman MG, Sukhodolsky DG, McCracken C, Minshawi N, Turner K, Levato L, Saulnier C, Dziura J, Johnson C. Effect of Parent Training on Adaptive Behavior in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Disruptive Behavior: Results of a Randomized Trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016 Jul;55(7):602-609.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2016.05.001. Epub 2016 May 7.
PubMed 27343887Ibrahim K, Eilbott JA, Ventola P, He G, Pelphrey KA, McCarthy G, Sukhodolsky DG. Reduced Amygdala-Prefrontal Functional Connectivity in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Co-occurring Disruptive Behavior. Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging. 2019 Dec;4(12):1031-1041. doi: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.01.009. Epub 2019 Feb 4.
PubMed 30979647Ibrahim K, Kalvin C, Marsh CL, Anzano A, Gorynova L, Cimino K, Sukhodolsky DG. Anger Rumination is Associated with Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2019 Sep;49(9):3656-3668. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04085-y.
PubMed 31144231Henriksen M, Skrove M, Hoftun GB, Sund ER, Lydersen S, Tseng WL, Sukhodolsky DG. Developmental Course and Risk Factors of Physical Aggression in Late Adolescence. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2021 Aug;52(4):628-639. doi: 10.1007/s10578-020-01049-7.
PubMed 32852728Kalvin CB, Gladstone TR, Jordan R, Rowley S, Marsh CL, Ibrahim K, Sukhodolsky DG. Assessing Irritability in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the Affective Reactivity Index. J Autism Dev Disord. 2021 May;51(5):1496-1507. doi: 10.1007/s10803-020-04627-9.
PubMed 32734421
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Behavior Therapy for Irritability and Aggression in Adolescents With Autism
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04654260
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BTIA / 0102012121-5
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Irritability, Disruptive Behavior, Anger, Aggression, Asperger Syndrome
- Keywords
- autism, adolescents, behavior therapy, treatment, disruptive behavior, irritability, anger, aggression
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 65 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Yale UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
- Study start
- 10 Dec 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Dec 2020 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a clinical trial of a novel intervention, Behavioral Therapy for Irritability and Aggression (BTIA), for adolescents on the autism spectrum. The main goals of BTIA are to help adolescents develop emotion regulation skills to handle frustration and to strengthen skills for navigating the challenging and diverse experiences associated with the transition to adulthood. The study will test whether BTIA can be helpful to adolescents on the autism spectrum and to their families.
Detailed description
This is a randomized controlled study of BTIA versus a supportive therapy control condition in 126 adolescents (ages 12 to 18 years) with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and significant levels of disruptive behaviors such as aggression, anger outbursts, and oppositional behavior. BTIA consists of 15 ninety-minute weekly sessions that will be conducted with the teens and their parents by therapists using a structured, detailed manual. The effects of BTIA on the reduction of behavioral problems will be rated by an experienced clinician who does not know which treatment each participant is receiving (a "blinded" evaluator). Study participants will receive a thorough diagnostic assessment of autism spectrum disorder and other forms of psychopathology that may co-occur with ASD. In addition to testing the effects of BTIA on disruptive behavior, the changes in adaptive functioning, or children's ability to function competently in their everyday environment, will be examined before and after treatment.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This is randomized controlled trial of behavior therapy for irritability versus a supportive therapy control condition
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in Autism (BTIA) | Experimental | Behavioral: Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in AutismBTIA consists of 15 ninety-minute weekly sessions that will be conducted with the teens and their parents by experienced therapists using a structured, detailed manual. |
| Psychoeducation and Supportive Therapy (PST) | Active comparator | Behavioral: Psychoeducation and Supportive Therapy (PST)PST consist of 15 weekly, ninety-minute sessions focused on learning about and discussing issues of diagnosis, treatment and educational services with an experienced therapist could be helpful to children on the autism spectrum and their families. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 to 19 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Boys and girls, ages 12 to 18 years inclusive
- Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
- Presence of disruptive behaviors such as irritability and anger outbursts
- No planned changes in the intensity of current treatment(s)
- Medication free or on stable medication
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Presence of a medical condition that would interfere with participation in the study
- Presence of a current psychiatric disorder that requires immediate clinical attention
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in AutismThe child-focused components of BTIA are organized in modules dedicated to emotion regulation, problem solving and practice of planned steps to prevent or resolve conflicts. Each session contains a set of six to seven goals, and each goal contains a menu of techniques and activities that can be used to attain this goal. In order to administer the treatment in a flexible yet reliable manner, the therapist works collaboratively with the child and his or her parents to select activities that are perceived as relevant for attaining the session's goal. The parent-focused components of BTIA include include education about the effects of antecedents and consequences on disruptive behavior, developing strategies for reducing or altering antecedent events that may lead to disruptive reactions and helping parents to use reinforcement of competent and calm responses in potentially frustrating situations. | Behavioural | Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in Autism (BTIA) |
| Psychoeducation and Supportive Therapy (PST)Each PST session will start with a review of events of the past week and include queries of topics such as school, interests, hobbies, and family with an overarching goal of enhancing subjective well-being. A major objective is to enables the participant to discuss his or her concerns with a therapist toward a goal of enhancing overall psychological wellbeing. Education about autism diagnosis and services is also provided to families as part of PST. | Behavioural | Psychoeducation and Supportive Therapy (PST) |
Primary outcome
Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS)
Time frame: baseline (week 0)
Modified Overt Aggression Scale is a 16-item scale that reflects the frequency and severity of incidents of aggressive behavior. Scores can range from 0 (minimum) to 300 (maximum) with higher scores reflecting worse outcome.
Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS)
Time frame: midpoint (week 8)
Modified Overt Aggression Scale is a 16-item scale that reflects the frequency and severity of incidents of aggressive behavior. Scores can range from 0 (minimum) to 300 (maximum) with higher scores reflecting worse outcome.
Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS)
Time frame: endpoint (week 16)
Modified Overt Aggression Scale is a 16-item scale that reflects the frequency and severity of incidents of aggressive behavior. Scores can range from 0 (minimum) to 300 (maximum) with higher scores reflecting worse outcome.
Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS)
Time frame: six-month follow up (week 42)
Modified Overt Aggression Scale is a 16-item scale that reflects the frequency and severity of incidents of aggressive behavior. Scores can range from 0 (minimum) to 300 (maximum) with higher scores reflecting worse outcome.
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score (CGI-I)
Time frame: baseline (week 0)
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score assigned by an independent evaluator (IE) who will be blind to treatment assignment is the categorical primary outcome measure of aggressive behavior. The CGI-I reflects the IE's assessment of overall change from baseline rated on a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 is very much improved, 2 is much improved, 3 is minimally improved, 4 is no change, 5 is minimally worse, 6 is much worth, and 7 is very much worse. Higher scores reflect worse outcome. By convention, ratings of very much improved (1) or much improved (2) define positive response; all other scores are classified as a negative response.
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score (CGI-I)
Time frame: midpoint (week 8)
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score assigned by an independent evaluator (IE) who will be blind to treatment assignment is the categorical primary outcome measure of aggressive behavior. The CGI-I reflects the IE's assessment of overall change from baseline rated on a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 is very much improved, 2 is much improved, 3 is minimally improved, 4 is no change, 5 is minimally worse, 6 is much worth, and 7 is very much worse. Higher scores reflect worse outcome. By convention, ratings of very much improved (1) or much improved (2) define positive response; all other scores are classified as a negative response.
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score (CGI-I)
Time frame: endpoint (week 16)
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score assigned by an independent evaluator (IE) who will be blind to treatment assignment is the categorical primary outcome measure of aggressive behavior. The CGI-I reflects the IE's assessment of overall change from baseline rated on a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 is very much improved, 2 is much improved, 3 is minimally improved, 4 is no change, 5 is minimally worse, 6 is much worth, and 7 is very much worse. Higher scores reflect worse outcome. By convention, ratings of very much improved (1) or much improved (2) define positive response; all other scores are classified as a negative response.
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score (CGI-I)
Time frame: six-month follow up (week 42)
The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement Score assigned by an independent evaluator (IE) who will be blind to treatment assignment is the categorical primary outcome measure of aggressive behavior. The CGI-I reflects the IE's assessment of overall change from baseline rated on a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 is very much improved, 2 is much improved, 3 is minimally improved, 4 is no change, 5 is minimally worse, 6 is much worth, and 7 is very much worse. Higher scores reflect worse outcome. By convention, ratings of very much improved (1) or much improved (2) define positive response; all other scores are classified as a negative response.
Irritability subscale - Aberrant Behavioral Checklist
Time frame: baseline (week 0)
The 15-item Irritability subscale includes questions about aggression, tantrums, agitation, and unstable mood that are rated on a 4-point scale with the following anchor points: 0 = not at all a problem; 1 = the behavior is a problem but slight in degree; 2 = the problem is moderately serious; 3 = the problem is severe in degree. The total Irritability subscale score ranges from 0 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater severity.
Irritability subscale - Aberrant Behavioral Checklist
Time frame: midpoint (week 8)
The 15-item Irritability subscale includes questions about aggression, tantrums, agitation, and unstable mood that are rated on a 4-point scale with the following anchor points: 0 = not at all a problem; 1 = the behavior is a problem but slight in degree; 2 = the problem is moderately serious; 3 = the problem is severe in degree. The total Irritability subscale score ranges from 0 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater severity.
Irritability subscale - Aberrant Behavioral Checklist
Time frame: endpoint (week 16)
The 15-item Irritability subscale includes questions about aggression, tantrums, agitation, and unstable mood that are rated on a 4-point scale with the following anchor points: 0 = not at all a problem; 1 = the behavior is a problem but slight in degree; 2 = the problem is moderately serious; 3 = the problem is severe in degree. The total Irritability subscale score ranges from 0 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater severity.
Irritability subscale - Aberrant Behavioral Checklist
Time frame: six-month follow up (week 42)
The 15-item Irritability subscale includes questions about aggression, tantrums, agitation, and unstable mood that are rated on a 4-point scale with the following anchor points: 0 = not at all a problem; 1 = the behavior is a problem but slight in degree; 2 = the problem is moderately serious; 3 = the problem is severe in degree. The total Irritability subscale score ranges from 0 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater severity.
3 secondary outcomes
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales - Communication Domain Score
Time frame: baseline (week 0)
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales - Communication Domain Score
Time frame: endpoint (week 16)
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales - Communication Domain Score
Time frame: six-month follow up (week 42)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 26745682Sukhodolsky DG, Smith SD, McCauley SA, Ibrahim K, Piasecka JB. Behavioral Interventions for Anger, Irritability, and Aggression in Children and Adolescents. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2016 Feb;26(1):58-64. doi: 10.1089/cap.2015.0120. Epub 2016 Jan 8.
- Background: PubMed 27343887Scahill L, Bearss K, Lecavalier L, Smith T, Swiezy N, Aman MG, Sukhodolsky DG, McCracken C, Minshawi N, Turner K, Levato L, Saulnier C, Dziura J, Johnson C. Effect of Parent Training on Adaptive Behavior in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Disruptive Behavior: Results of a Randomized Trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016 Jul;55(7):602-609.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2016.05.001. Epub 2016 May 7.
- Background: PubMed 30979647Ibrahim K, Eilbott JA, Ventola P, He G, Pelphrey KA, McCarthy G, Sukhodolsky DG. Reduced Amygdala-Prefrontal Functional Connectivity in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Co-occurring Disruptive Behavior. Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging. 2019 Dec;4(12):1031-1041. doi: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.01.009. Epub 2019 Feb 4.
- Background: PubMed 31144231Ibrahim K, Kalvin C, Marsh CL, Anzano A, Gorynova L, Cimino K, Sukhodolsky DG. Anger Rumination is Associated with Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2019 Sep;49(9):3656-3668. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04085-y.
- Background: PubMed 32852728Henriksen M, Skrove M, Hoftun GB, Sund ER, Lydersen S, Tseng WL, Sukhodolsky DG. Developmental Course and Risk Factors of Physical Aggression in Late Adolescence. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2021 Aug;52(4):628-639. doi: 10.1007/s10578-020-01049-7.
- Background: PubMed 32734421Kalvin CB, Gladstone TR, Jordan R, Rowley S, Marsh CL, Ibrahim K, Sukhodolsky DG. Assessing Irritability in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the Affective Reactivity Index. J Autism Dev Disord. 2021 May;51(5):1496-1507. doi: 10.1007/s10803-020-04627-9.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Research data from this study will be shared via the National Database for Autism Research and NIH Data Repositories (https://nda.nih.gov/) consistent with the Yale University Policy. The data management for this study will be conducted using the OnCore system at YCCI (https://medicine.yale.edu/ycci/oncore/), which enables translation of data to de-identified data sets that can be placed online using GUID technology as specified in Federal guidelines. At the time of permission/consent/assent, participants and their parents will be informed of the data-sharing plan. Raw data generated by the project will be quality-certified by our research team (including fidelity to research procedures, proper file format, artifact removal, and de-identifying, resulting in artifact-free raw data) prior to submission to NDAR for usability. Consistent with the NDAR data sharing policy, data will be submitted, at the individual level, on all enrolled subjects.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Denis Sukhodolsky, Ph.D. principal investigator
Yale University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Behavioral Therapy for Irritability in Autism and Psychoeducation and Supportive Therapy (PST) in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Irritability, run by Yale University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) (time frame: baseline (week 0)). The study lists 12 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04654260, which also lists 6 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Jun 2026.