Modified Pivotal Response Treatment for Insistence on Sameness in Autistic Youth

The purpose of this open label trial is to examine the preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a 12-week behavioral intervention program (1 hour/week) to treat insistence on sameness (e.g., difficulty tolerating changes in routine) in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Treatment will be delivered via secure telemedicine platform and consist of a combination of parent-training and parent-mediated intervention with the child.

Participants will include children with: 1. parent/guardian aged 18 years or older with a child aged between 4.0 to 17.11 years old at the time of parental consent; 2. diagnosed with ASD (based on history, review of available medical records including diagnostic testing, e.g., ADOS) or suspicion of ASD diagnosis and confirmed with Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R); 3. parent-reported clinically significant concerns regarding insistence on sameness and behavioral inflexibility; 4. stable behavioral and pharmacological treatment for at least two weeks with no anticipated changes; 5. English-speaking parent and youth able to consistently participate in study procedures; 6. family resides in United States.