TeleABA for Hospitalized Adolescents and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Summary

This study is evaluating whether a telehealth-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) program can improve the care of adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are hospitalized because of severe challenging behaviors, such as aggression, self-injury, property destruction, or elopement.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard hospital care alone or standard hospital care plus a Telehealth Applied Behavior Analysis for Hospitalized Adolescents and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (TeleABA) program. The TeleABA program includes assessment by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), individualized behavior support recommendations, coaching for hospital staff, caregiver training, discharge planning, and four weekly telehealth sessions with caregivers after the participant leaves the hospital.

Researchers will compare the two groups to determine whether the TeleABA program improves behavioral outcomes, caregiver confidence and stress, hospital experiences, and the transition from the hospital to home. The findings may help identify more effective ways to support individuals with autism and their families during and after behavioral health hospitalizations.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Standard Hospital Care

Standard inpatient behavioral health care provided by the hospital, including psychiatric evaluation, medication management, nursing care, therapeutic programming, and discharge planning in accordance with routine clinical practice.

BEHAVIORAL

Telehealth Applied Behavior Analysis (TeleABA)

The TeleABA intervention is a telehealth-delivered applied behavior analysis (ABA) program designed to support adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder during hospitalization and the transition to home. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) conducts caregiver interviews, behavioral assessment, functional assessment when indicated, and develops individualized behavior support recommendations. The intervention includes consultation and coaching for hospital staff, caregiver training, discharge planning, and four weekly telehealth caregiver coaching sessions following hospital discharge to support implementation of behavior support strategies and continuity of care.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• Hackensack Meridian Health

  collaborator OTHER

• Center for Social Dynamics

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Rutgers University

  collaborator OTHER

• Caring Technologies, Inc.

  lead INDUSTRY

Principal Investigators

• Ron Oberleitner · Caring Technologies, Inc.

• Joy Pollard, Ph.D. · Center for Social Dynamics

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

12 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-08-01

Primary Completion

2027-06-30

Completion

2027-07-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations