Testing a Mobile App to Improve Toothbrushing Skills and Habits in Teens With Autism

Inclusion Criteria

• •Child participants will have Autism Spectrum Disorder that will be confirmed by: (1) chart review by clinical staff at the recruitment sites to determine if the child meets the DSM-5 criteria for autism spectrum disorder; OR (2) affirmative caregiver response (YES) to the question, "Has a healthcare provider ever diagnosed your child with autism?"
• •Willingness to take a CARS-2 \[Childhood Autism Rating Scale-2\], which will be administered by trained staff
• •Child brushes independently \[The child needs to be able to hold the toothbrush and move it around their teeth, mostly unassisted\]
• •Child uses touch screen devices (e.g.,smartphones or tablet)
• •Ages 10 to 17 years at enrollment
• •Caregiver and child able to communicate in English
• •Caregiver age ≥18 years and able to provide informed consent in English
• •Child and caregiver live in the same home
• •Child has ready access to a mobile device with a front-facing camera onto which apps can be downloaded (iPad or iPhone with iOS 16.0+; Android tablet or phone with Android 13.0+)
• •Family has a Wi-Fi or cellular data plan to allow app data to be transmitted, with confirmation of via tools like the Ookla Speed Test to help problem solve and ensure that app data can be transmitted