Virtual Magic Trick Training for Adolescents with Autism

This study is looking at whether a 6-week virtual magic trick training program (MTTP) can help adolescents with autism improve their social and emotional skills. Participants will learn and practice magic tricks, including developing a story to go with each trick. Researchers will measure social skills using a test called TASSK (Test of Adolescents Social Skills Knowledge) at the beginning, right after the program, and 6 weeks later. To join, you need to be 11 to 18 years old with a confirmed autism diagnosis, have good hand dexterity, and intact thinking skills. The study aims to enroll 60 participants.

Study design
This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 60 participants. It compares those who participate in the virtual magic trick training program to a group on a waitlist.
What's involved
Participants will take part in a 6-week virtual magic trick training program. Social skills will be assessed at the beginning, immediately after the program, and 6 weeks later.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed up for 6 weeks after the program ends.

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NCT05664841

The Impact of a Virtual Magic Trick Training Program

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 11–18InterventionalTreatment
University of Alabama at Birmingham
~60 participants
Updated 2026-02-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:magic trick training

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Test of Adolescents Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK)
Measured over baseline
+26 more outcomes measured
Autism
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
1 sites across 1 states
Alabama1
  • Hon Yuen, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Alabama at Birmingham

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Confirmed diagnosis (with proof of evidence) of autism;
Aged between 11 and 18 years (younger children may lack the inductive reasoning skills to learn magic tricks);
Have functional hand dexterity to do magic tricks
Intact cognition as indicated by a score above the corresponding cut-off point of the child's age on the Mini-Mental Examination for Children; and
Access to internet and a computer or smartphone that can perform videoconferencing.

Exclusion

Severe hearing or visual impairments that prevent online learning;
Previous participation in organized magic learning program or camp;
Current or planned participation in psychological therapy or a clinical trial during the study period that could affect the outcomes of the study.
  • Test of Adolescents Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK)baseline

    The TASSK is a self-report 30-item questionnaire that measures knowledge of specific social skills. Scores range between 0 to 26 with higher score reflecting greater knowledge of adolescent social skills.

  • Test of Adolescents Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK)at 6 week

    The TASSK is a self-report 30-item questionnaire that measures knowledge of specific social skills. Scores range between 0 to 26 with higher score reflecting greater knowledge of adolescent social skills.

  • Test of Adolescents Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK)at 12 week

    The TASSK is a self-report 30-item questionnaire that measures knowledge of specific social skills. Scores range between 0 to 26 with higher score reflecting greater knowledge of adolescent social skills.

  • Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)baseline

    SDQ (peer problem scale and prosocial scale) consists of 10 items rated on a 3-point Likert-type scale (not true=1 to certainly true=3), with higher scores indicating higher psychological problems. Some items require reverse scoring.

  • Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)at 6 week

    SDQ (peer problem scale and prosocial scale) consists of 10 items rated on a 3-point Likert-type scale (not true=1 to certainly true=3), with higher scores indicating higher psychological problems. Some items require reverse scoring.

  • Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)at 12 week

    SDQ (peer problem scale and prosocial scale) consists of 10 items rated on a 3-point Likert-type scale (not true=1 to certainly true=3), with higher scores indicating higher psychological problems. Some items require reverse scoring.

  • Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES)baseline

    RSES consists of 10 items rated on a 4-point Likert-type scale, with higher scores indicate higher self-esteem.

  • Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES)at 6 week

    RSES consists of 10 items rated on a 4-point Likert-type scale, with higher scores indicate higher self-esteem.

  • Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES)at 12 week

    RSES consists of 10 items rated on a 4-point Likert-type scale, with higher scores indicate higher self-esteem.

  • UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3baseline

    The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) is a 20-item measure that assesses how often a person feels disconnected from others. Using a 4-point rating scale (1= never; 4 = always), participants answer 20 questions, such as "How often do you feel left out?" and "How often do you feel part of a group of friends?" Researchers later reverse-code the positively worded items so that high values mean more loneliness, and then calculate a score for each respondent by averaging their ratings.

  • UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3at 6 week

    The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) is a 20-item measure that assesses how often a person feels disconnected from others. Using a 4-point rating scale (1= never; 4 = always), participants answer 20 questions, such as "How often do you feel left out?" and "How often do you feel part of a group of friends?" Researchers later reverse-code the positively worded items so that high values mean more loneliness, and then calculate a score for each respondent by averaging their ratings.

  • UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3at 12 week

    The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) is a 20-item measure that assesses how often a person feels disconnected from others. Using a 4-point rating scale (1= never; 4 = always), participants answer 20 questions, such as "How often do you feel left out?" and "How often do you feel part of a group of friends?" Researchers later reverse-code the positively worded items so that high values mean more loneliness, and then calculate a score for each respondent by averaging their ratings.

  • Self-efficacy Questionnaire for Childrenbaseline

    It consists of 16 items rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale (not at all=1 to very well=5) with higher scores indicating higher self-efficacy.

  • Self-efficacy Questionnaire for Childrenat 6 week

    It consists of 16 items rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale (not at all=1 to very well=5) with higher scores indicating higher self-efficacy.

  • Self-efficacy Questionnaire for Childrenat 12 week

    It consists of 16 items rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale (not at all=1 to very well=5) with higher scores indicating higher self-efficacy.

  • Best Friend Indexbaseline

    The Best Friend Index is a scale for the measurement of the features of positive and negative friendship consisting of 18 items. Each item is answered on a 5-point scale (from 1= Never to 5=Very often).

  • Best Friend Indexat 6 week

    The Best Friend Index is a scale for the measurement of the features of positive and negative friendship consisting of 18 items. Each item is answered on a 5-point scale (from 1= Never to 5=Very often).

  • Best Friend Indexat 12 week

    The Best Friend Index is a scale for the measurement of the features of positive and negative friendship consisting of 18 items. Each item is answered on a 5-point scale (from 1= Never to 5=Very often).

  • Quality of Socialization Questionnairebaseline

    It is a 12-item self-report and parent-report measure to assess the frequency of adolescents get-together, number of friends involved and the level of conflict during get-togethers over the previous month.

  • Quality of Socialization Questionnaireat 6 week

    It is a 12-item self-report and parent-report measure to assess the frequency of adolescents get-together, number of friends involved and the level of conflict during get-togethers over the previous month.

  • Quality of Socialization Questionnaireat 12 week

    It is a 12-item self-report and parent-report measure to assess the frequency of adolescents get-together, number of friends involved and the level of conflict during get-togethers over the previous month.

  • Autism Social Skills Profilebaseline

    It is a checklist that provides a comprehensive measure of social functioning of children and adolescents who are on the Autism Spectrum. The 49 items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale with 1=never, 2=sometimes, 3=often, and 4=very often. The test yields three subscale scores: Social/Emotional Reciprocity (SER), Social Participation/Avoidance (SPA), and Detrimental Social Behaviors (DSB), as well as a total score.

  • Autism Social Skills Profileat 6 week

    It is a checklist that provides a comprehensive measure of social functioning of children and adolescents who are on the Autism Spectrum. The 49 items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale with 1=never, 2=sometimes, 3=often, and 4=very often. The test yields three subscale scores: Social/Emotional Reciprocity (SER), Social Participation/Avoidance (SPA), and Detrimental Social Behaviors (DSB), as well as a total score.

  • Autism Social Skills Profileat 12 week

    It is a checklist that provides a comprehensive measure of social functioning of children and adolescents who are on the Autism Spectrum. The 49 items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale with 1=never, 2=sometimes, 3=often, and 4=very often. The test yields three subscale scores: Social/Emotional Reciprocity (SER), Social Participation/Avoidance (SPA), and Detrimental Social Behaviors (DSB), as well as a total score.

  • Stanford Social Dimensions Scalebaseline

    The SSDS is more comprehensive, sensitive and specific compared to other instruments in terms of capturing key social processes that are necessary for understanding of social deficits in conditions. The 71 items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale with 1=never, 2=rarely, 3=sometimes, 4=often, and 5=always.

  • Stanford Social Dimensions Scaleat 6 week

    IThe SSDS is more comprehensive, sensitive and specific compared to other instruments in terms of capturing key social processes that are necessary for understanding of social deficits in conditions. The 71 items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale with 1=never, 2=rarely, 3=sometimes, 4=often, and 5=always.

  • Stanford Social Dimensions Scaleat 12 week

    The SSDS is more comprehensive, sensitive and specific compared to other instruments in terms of capturing key social processes that are necessary for understanding of social deficits in conditions. The 71 items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale with 1=never, 2=rarely, 3=sometimes, 4=often, and 5=always.