Intervention for Toddlers at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Summary

This research is being done to test the effectiveness of an early intervention model for very young children at high risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families. If children show improvement in this intervention, the investigators hope that the availability of public services of this type will be increased. Children between 11 months and 21 months old with Autism Spectrum Disorders, or with social and communication delays that indicate high risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders, and their parents may join the study. Treatment must start prior to the second birthday.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Parent Training

The 1-2 hour individual therapeutic sessions with parent training in the home or clinic (1x every week over six months) are based on our own program which is in development. This program focuses on teaching parents how to encourage social and communication skills in their toddlers and also provides comprehensive information about development. Sessions will focus on knowledge of autism, current access to services, general knowledge of strategies used to facilitate child development, advocacy, knowledge of how to access services, and coping strategies.

BEHAVIORAL

Parent Training

In the once-a-week 1 to 2 hour parent training/enrichment, we will ask parents to target specific play and care routines in which they may stimulate their child's development in the ways identified by the therapist. These stimulation times may be provided by the parents, other family members, friends, volunteers or hired assistants. Parents will be encouraged to have their child in direct skill-enhancing engagement for 1-2 hour per day. The therapist will work with the family to identify times during the day that best lend themselves to accomplishing this goal.

BEHAVIORAL

Playgroup

The playgroup will be conducted at our center and focuses on providing an invigorating learning environment in which emerging skills/knowledge are skillfully brought to a higher level of maturity, integrated with existing abilities, and used functionally. Learning with and through peers, provides the opportunity to address abnormal peer relationships for developmental level. Providing an enriched environment with toys, structured learning, and opportunities for ongoing engagement we offer the children experiences that they would not otherwise have. Parent training sessions will focus on strategies aimed at improving child social engagement and communication. Parent education sessions will focus on topics related to autism, learning styles, interventions, and resources.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Autism Speaks

  collaborator OTHER

• Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Rebecca Landa, PhD, CCC-SLP · Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

11 Months

Max Age

21 Months

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2008-01-31

Primary Completion

2011-12-31

Completion

2011-12-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations