Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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RECRUITING
NA
54 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2026-01-15
2031-02-28
Brief Summary
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The study will try to answer:
Can SDARI be used successfully with autistic adults? Does SDARI help people feel more connected, supported, and mentally well?
There are two groups in the study. One group will participate in the SDARI program, and the other group will do different structured activities that don't focus on social connection. Researchers will compare the two groups to see if SDARI leads to better outcomes.
Participants will:
Complete screening to confirm eligibility (including autism traits and IQ) Attend weekly in-person group sessions for 10 weeks Take part in games and activities designed to support connection and collaboration Complete surveys and interviews before, during, and after the program Have the option to choose someone close to them (like a friend or family member) to fill out surveys about their experiences
Detailed Description
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Participants will be recruited through community organizations, university outreach channels, and autism service agencies. Eligibility will be determined through a multi-step screening process, including the RAADS, ADOS-2 Module 4, and KBIT-2R assessments. Eligible participants will be randomized into either the SDARI intervention group or a time-matched attention control group. Each group will meet weekly for 90-minute sessions over a 10-week period at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute.
The SDARI curriculum integrates three core components:
Use of improvisational and drama-based games tailored to the developmental stage and interests of autistic young adults.
Facilitation of peer-to-peer and participant-staff relationships to foster positive reinforcement and group cohesion.
Incorporation of motivating activities such as noncompetitive physical games and shared-interest tasks to enhance engagement.
The attention control condition will follow the same schedule and structure but will involve recreational activities that do not explicitly promote interpersonal interaction.
Participants will complete assessments at three timepoints: baseline (pre-intervention), post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Measures will include self-report and informant-report questionnaires assessing interpersonal experiences, social networks, group cohesion, and mental health. Social Network Analysis (SNA) will be used to evaluate changes in participants' social connections and network structures over time.
All sessions will be video-recorded for fidelity monitoring. Staff will receive condition-specific training and weekly supervision to ensure consistency and adherence to the intervention protocol.
The study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of SDARI in autistic adult populations. Outcomes will inform future adaptations and dissemination of SDARI for broader use in clinical and community settings.
Conditions
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Keywords
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
NONE
Study Groups
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SDARI-YA
follow SDARI Protocol
SDARI-YA
SDARI is a group-based, performance-based intervention designed to provide participants with opportunities to engage in and experience targeted interpersonal interactions, with minimal didactic instruction or instrumental reinforcement. The intervention consists of three core components:
SDARI utilizes affectively motivating acting games that are adapted for the developmental stage and characteristics of the target population.
Clinicians promote strong relationships among participants and between participants and clinicians by fostering a supportive and enjoyable environment, facilitating both structured and unstructured interactions, encouraging collaborative problem-solving, and reinforcing positive peer engagement.
SDARI incorporates motivating activities-such as noncompetitive physical games, shared interests, and goal-oriented tasks-to enhance interpersonal motivation and engagement.
AYA
follow AYA Protocol
AYA
This group provides concrete presentation of thematic content and connects those themes to specific semi-structured, naturalistic games and activities. Themes are addressed and targeted according to the developmental needs of individual group members.
Core Program Principles include:
Use of recreational, motivational activities adapted for the target age range and population Positive reinforcement of interpersonal engagement through structured activities Integration of strong, age-appropriate motivators
The AYA program uniquely combines these elements to facilitate both development and enjoyment. Group members engage in increasingly complex interpersonal interactions within the group setting and gain motivation to generalize these experiences across other environments, including home and educational contexts.
Interventions
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SDARI-YA
SDARI is a group-based, performance-based intervention designed to provide participants with opportunities to engage in and experience targeted interpersonal interactions, with minimal didactic instruction or instrumental reinforcement. The intervention consists of three core components:
SDARI utilizes affectively motivating acting games that are adapted for the developmental stage and characteristics of the target population.
Clinicians promote strong relationships among participants and between participants and clinicians by fostering a supportive and enjoyable environment, facilitating both structured and unstructured interactions, encouraging collaborative problem-solving, and reinforcing positive peer engagement.
SDARI incorporates motivating activities-such as noncompetitive physical games, shared interests, and goal-oriented tasks-to enhance interpersonal motivation and engagement.
AYA
This group provides concrete presentation of thematic content and connects those themes to specific semi-structured, naturalistic games and activities. Themes are addressed and targeted according to the developmental needs of individual group members.
Core Program Principles include:
Use of recreational, motivational activities adapted for the target age range and population Positive reinforcement of interpersonal engagement through structured activities Integration of strong, age-appropriate motivators
The AYA program uniquely combines these elements to facilitate both development and enjoyment. Group members engage in increasingly complex interpersonal interactions within the group setting and gain motivation to generalize these experiences across other environments, including home and educational contexts.
Other Intervention Names
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Demonstrate the ability to complete consent and all study measures and procedures in English
* Score ≥ 65 on the RAADS
* Score ≥ 70 on the KBIT-2R
* Score ≥ 6 on the ADOS-2 Module 4
* Are physically able to complete study activities (e.g., no significant physical impairment or mental condition restricting participation in study activities).
* Are physically able to travel to the AJ Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA to attend all weekly study sessions
Exclusion Criteria
* Are unable to complete study measures and/or procedures in English
* Are unable to complete consent procedures
* Score ≤ 65 on the RAADS
* Score ≤ 70 on the KBIT-2R
* Score ≤ 6 on the ADOS-2
* Cannot physically complete study activities
* Cannot physically travel to the AJ Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA to attend study sessions
* Have a severe medical or psychiatric condition preventing them from safely completing study activities
18 Years
30 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Drexel University
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Matthew Lerner
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigators
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Matthew Lerner, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Drexel University
Locations
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Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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Matthew Lerner, PhD
Role: primary
Other Identifiers
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2409010784
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id