This project will evaluate the effectiveness of MINDful TIME, an 8-week mindfulness-based program designed to improve mental health in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers. MINDful TIME includes weekly psychoeducational group meetings conducted through videoconferencing and use of a commercially available mindfulness meditation app. We will also explore whether caregivers in the treatment group demonstrate improvements in quality of life.
This project is a collaboration between researchers at the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) and the Autism Brain Aging Lab at Arizona State University.
Why this study is important: At least half of individuals with ASD experience clinically significant anxiety or depression. Mood symptoms increase significantly from childhood to adolescence and remain elevated during adulthood. Additionally, parents of children with ASD report higher levels of stress than parents of typically developing children or children with other disabilities and may experience higher stress once their children enter adolescence due to increased social-emotional difficulties. Notably, research from our group and others indicates increases in stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in both adolescents with ASD and their parents. This project aims to improve mental health among teens with ASD and their parents through a telehealth mindfulness intervention.
What are the goals of the study?
This project will evaluate the effectiveness of MINDful TIME, an 8-week mindfulness-based program designed to improve mental health in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers. MINDful TIME includes weekly psychoeducational group meetings conducted through videoconferencing and use of a commercially available mindfulness meditation app. We will also explore whether caregivers in the treatment group demonstrate improvements in quality of life.
What will happen during the visit or online?
Participation involves: 1-2 hour virtual intake visit to determine eligibility; Virtual group intervention sessions (2-hour sessions that meet weekly for 8 weeks); Up to 4 virtual data collection visits before and after participating in the intervention (1-2 hours each).
Teens and caregivers will: Attend an 8-week group telehealth intervention*; Learn strategies that may help with management of stress, anxiety or depression; Receive free access to a mindful meditation app (Ten Percent Happier) and asked to regularly use it throughout the study period.
*If you do not have access to the internet, our team will provide assistance for those who qualify.
How will this help families?
This project aims to improve mental health among teens with ASD and their parents through a telehealth mindfulness intervention.