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RCT of SCERTS (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, Transactional Support) Program for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

NCT06733324 · Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2026-04-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized control trial aims to assess the efficacy of the SCERTS intervention in children aged 3-6 years diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study evaluates the program's impact on improving social communication skills, adaptive behavior, and reducing caregiver stress while enhancing parental quality of life. The intervention incorporates components of Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support, tailored to cultural and contextual needs in Pakistan. The study will also validate translated and culturally adapted tools for program evaluation.

The SCERTS model is a multidisciplinary, evidence-based intervention that focuses on enhancing social communication, emotional regulation, and providing transactional support in children with ASD. This 8-week program will be tested through a single-blind randomized trial, with participants assigned to an experimental group or a waitlist control group. Outcomes include joint attention, imitation, emotional sharing, and intentional communication. The study will also evaluate the intervention's feasibility, fidelity, and acceptability in the Pakistani context. Post-intervention assessments and follow-ups will determine long-term benefits.

Conditions

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

SCERTS (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, Transactional Support)

The SCERTS (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support) intervention is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach specifically tailored to address the unique needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) aged 3-6 years. Unlike traditional behavioral therapies such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), SCERTS emphasizes a developmental framework, focusing on enhancing social communication, emotional regulation, and environmental support. It incorporates family involvement and integrates strategies into naturalistic settings, ensuring skill generalization across home, school, and community environments. This intervention is distinguished by its individualized goals based on each child's developmental profile and its emphasis on fostering meaningful interactions rather than relying on compliance-based methods. SCERTS also incorporates transactional supports, such as modifying the physical and social environment to promote engagement and reduce stress, w

BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral Treatment, Speech Therapy

The control group will be the treatment as usual group receiving conventional behavior therapy and speech therapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad

    collaborator OTHER

  • Aisha Saleem

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
3 Years
Max Age
7 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-06-01
Primary Completion
2026-08-15
Completion
2026-12-15

Countries

  • Pakistan

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06733324 on ClinicalTrials.gov